I had a small smile on my face, while I continued to walk with Audrey through the neighborhood. I am glad I managed to make a few friends, especially on the first day. I don't understand why Melvin made enemies with these girls. They seems like wonderful girls to have fun with, so far. I know Melvin makes stupid decisions but this is just sad. To be fair I should probably get to know them more before I judge them. Sometimes, I am too trusting of people for my own good.
"You sure think a lot, don't you?" Audrey asked me breaking me from my thoughts.
"Yes, it's a habit of mine," I responded nervously while scratching the back of my head.
"You seem to be the opposite of Melvin. I like it!" Audrey noted with a smile.
Looks like Melvin still acts without thinking! He always did put his clever mind to waste without using it most of the time.
"I was wondering how you and Melvin became enemies," I told Audrey with a curious look on my face
"Well, it all started back in pre-school! I was just minding my own business finger painting, when Melvin got the idea to ruin it by painting using his butt. During nap time he covered my unicorn plush with spit and after that day I couldn't let my guard down around him. We have been at war ever since. I never understood Melvin's problem because while they still had gross habits the other boys never treated me as badly as Melvin did!" Audrey explained with a sigh.
Suddenly, a tear appeared in both of Audrey's eyes. She took a deep breath before facing me with a frown.
"You know looking back at that day, I wish things would have ended up differently; with Melvin and I as friends! Is that so wrong?" Audrey asked before the tears fell.
"No, it's not! That just means you are a good person, Audrey! I have been disgusted with Melvin's behavior for years and I can't help but wish he would change. You shouldn't dwell on the past, especially for something that isn't even your fault! You have no power to change what had already happened, but you can focus on the present and try to make a better future. Maybe Melvin will change, but if he doesn't it's his problem not ours," I told Audrey to comfort her.
Audrey gave me a huge smile in response and gave me a small hug. Despite the awkwardness of the situation, I returned it!
"Thank you! I have always told myself the same thing, but hearing it from someone who had to put up with Melvin for years too makes it easier to accept!" Audrey told me before letting go.
Who would have thought there was someone else who had to deal with Melvin over the years and it was someone who did it almost everyday! I couldn't help but feel sorry for her, as well as be impressed since I did receive breaks from the little pest!
"Since I told you my past with Melvin, could you tell me yours?" Audrey asked me.
"Well, I only really saw Melvin during holidays and the visits were only for the weekends. One time I was building a small fort with blocks, when Melvin got the bright idea to have a finger paint fight. He threw the paint in my eyes, causing me to trip and fall! I ended up wrecking my fort and getting minor cuts all over my body. Thankfully, I also caused enough noise to alert the adults! Melvin got grounded for three weeks and ever since then I always flinched when even I see paint!" I told Audrey with a frown.
"Wow, you had a much worst experience with him," Audrey told me.
"Not really! I do get breaks while you hardly ever," I responded.
"True, but your experiences do seem much more extreme," Audrey pointed out.
"Fair enough! Most of the time he did get caught and punished whenever he pulled something on me!" I responded.
"How does it feel to be related to him though?" Audrey asked me with a frown.
"It's complicated! I love him because he's family and that is what family is supposed to do, but after everything he did to me and will do in the future I can't help but dislike him. Yet, despite it all I know deep down I still care for him because I just have to!" I tried to explained.
"I get it! Deep down despite every spitwad, stinkbomb, and snot he covered me in, I still want to be his friend. I just wish he would let me," Audrey responded.
"Enough about Melvin for now! How about we have some fun?" I suggested with a smile.
"Sounds good to me," Audrey responded returning my smile.
We continued walking through the neighborhood until we reach a giant tree with a bunch of kids trading things.
"This is the trading tree, the central hub of all trading. Just remember no trade backs, trading living things or tricking anyone with fake trades," Audrey explained.
I nodded while looking at the tree in awe! Harvey street really seems like the best place ever! It's a shame I never really got to explore it years back, but at least I can it enjoy now!
"Breaking the rules gets you banned for an hour. That feels like life for us, right?" Audrey explained.
After resisting the urge to roll my eyes at such a stupid statement, I couldn't help but wonder if Melvin tried anything here. Yes, most likely he did!
"Has anyone tried to pull anything?" I asked just to make sure.
"Yes, Melvin has. Maybe I will tell you all about that day later? Just know for now Melvin pulled another of his stunts." Audrey told me with a smile.
"Of course he did," I responded while shaking my head.
Suddenly, a boy with white hair was climbing down the tree ; he started walking towards us.
"Hello, Audrey, having a good day? Who is your friend?" He greeted, with a smile.
"Hello, Bobby! This is Greg, Melvin's cousin. Greg, this is Bobby our leader," Audrey introduced us.
"Hello, nice to meet you," I greeted, while shaking his hand.
"I do hope you aren't like Melvin! I doubt I would be able to handle two of them!" Bobby joked with a smile.
"Believe me Bobby! Greg here is nothing like Melvin!" Audrey assured Bobby.
"Well, if Audrey of all people believes that than it must be true! Are you two a couple?" Bobby responded, with a smile.
"No, why?" Audrey and I asked at the same time.
"Do you two realise you are holding hands?" Bobby asked.
I looked at my right hand, to discover that Audrey really was still holding it! Audrey and I share a look and I could see a small blush on her face. After a few seconds she let go and started mumbling something about hands.
"I will leave you two alone," Bobby laughed before leaving.
Audrey and I share another look and I could feel my face heat up in embarrassment. I again heard my mom saying 'and try to get a girlfriend' repeat in my head. After clearing my head, I noticed the blush on Audrey's face was bigger than before and she seemed to be thinking hard. Before I could say anything to snap her out of it, she took a deep breath.
"Greg, sorry about that! I really should have let go sooner!" Audrey apologized.
"It's fine, Audrey! To be honest I didn't really mind it so much. It just felt natural," I responded nervously with a smile.
The blush on Audrey's face got darker, causing me to worry! I was trying to calm her down not get her more embarrassed!
"Why are you so perfect?" Audrey asked out of nowhere.
"Perfect? Me?" I asked baffled.
"I mean for years while putting up with Melvin, I had low opinions of boys! My younger self just assumed they were all bad! Thankfully, I met a few decent ones that helped improve my thoughts on gender as a whole. After I met Bobby, I learned that there could be boys that I could have no problems with. Then there is you...", Audrey stated before she started blushing and stuttering uncontrollably.
I put my hand on her shoulder and managed to calm her down.
"Are you ok?" I asked concerned.
She nodded at me and gave me a smile that was different than the ones she gave before. It seemed to show happiness far beyond any normal smile. I smiled back, despite being confused!
"I am now!" Audrey assured me.
Before I could respond we heard an icecream truck from nearby.
"Want some icecream? On me?" Audrey asked.
I nodded before following her to the truck, that was parked in the middle of the street. Thankfully the line was really short.
"Hello, Audrey! Nice to run Into you! Who is this cutie? Is he your boyfriend? I bet he is!" A girl with blown hair in a side pony tail asked Audrey excitedly.
Audrey started blushing wildly and gave the girl an annoyed look. She took one look at me and her blush got darker. I could feel my own cheeks start to heat up in embarrassment.
"Oh he is! I can see it on your face!" The girl stated with a huge smile.
After my face started cooling down, I Looked at Audrey to see that her blush was gone and she was giving the girl a glare.
"Lucretia, he is not my boyfriend! Now could you please stop embarrassing us!" Audrey scolded.
"Sorry Audrey!" Lucretia apologized before turning around.
"Sorry about that Greg! Lucretia, is a huge obsessive fan girl of my group," Audrey explained.
"It's fine Audrey! it's not your fault!" I responded back with a smile.
Audrey gave me that special smile from before! Is that smile exclusively for me? I have to say I really like it! This day is turning out pretty well so far!
"You are really full of compassion and understanding!" Audrey told me.
"What would you like?" A male voiced asked.
"A fudge popsicle," Lucretia said before leaving with her popsicle.
Audrey and I turned to face the icecream truck and I was happy to see they had rainbow bazooka!
"What would you two want?" the icecream man asked.
"Rainbow bazooka," Audrey and I said at the sametime.
We suddenly looked at each other and smiled.
"Good to see we have something in common!" Audrey told me excitedly.
"Yes it is," I responded simply.
"Sorry, kids we only have one left," the man said holding the popsicle.
"That is ok. I will take a watermelon blast instead," I said.
Audrey and I grabbed our popsicles and started walking out of the street. I looked at Audrey who once again had a blush on her face.
"Thanks, Greg! That was nice of you." Audrey told me with my exclusive smile.
"No, problem! It was nothing," I responded.
"Actually it kinda is," Audrey told me with a frown.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"I went through something similar with Melvin! I offered to get icecream to call it even that day. We both asked for rainbow rocket and when it seemed we were about to make amends we fought over it!" Audrey explained with her frown getting bigger.
"God, I am sorry," I said returning the frown.
"You didn't know!" Audrey told me with a sigh.
"Hey don't be sad! There must be something we can do," I suggested.
"Well, there is the climbing tree," Audrey suggested with a small smile.
"How many trees are there?" I asked stunned.
Audrey just gave me my exclusive smile in response, before leading me to the tree. I smiled when I realized it was the same tree I saw before.
"It has branches for anyone at any level," Audrey stated before climbing expertly on a brance of medium height.
I managed to climb a brance of the same level with little issues.
"I usually come here to get some peace, after dealing with Melvin. It does help me relax after a hard day," Audrey explained.
"I can see that. Once you get used to balancing while up here, it does seem really relaxing," I noted.
"Bingo! Though I have to admit it doesn't beat talking it out with someone, especially one who could relate. Thank you! I have never felt so at peace after a battle with Melvin," Audrey told me with the special smile.
"No problem! I am glad to be of help. I know we just met and all, but I am glad I met you!" I responded.
"Same here Greg!" Audrey responded.
We finished our icecream in silence and spent an hour or two just sitting back and relaxing.
"Well, I think Melvin has suffered enough. Want to head back?" Audrey asked me.
"Not really, but I guess I should," I responded.
"Come on! You know you can't leave Melvin behind," Audrey told me with an amused look on her face.
"Actually, I meant I didn't want stop spending time with you. You helped prevent me from having an annoying time with Melvin. Thank you for for actually giving me a good time!" I responded with a smile and my cheeks heating up a bit.
To my amusement, Audrey actually started blushing and stuttering uncontrollably. I chuckled at the sight, before Audrey snapped out of it. To my slight surprised, she didn't seem annoyed at me for embarrassing her. In fact she started walking towards me with a grin.
"No problem! Glad I could help!" Audrey told me while grabbing my hand and giving me a small kiss on the cheek.
I started blushing and stuttering uncontrollably, while Audrey gave me an amused look.
"Now you know how it feels!" Audrey joked.
We both started laughing while walking back to the trailer. I looked back at the moments I spent with Audrey and I couldn't help but start blushing lightly. Bobby and lucretia thought we were a couple, We kept getting embarrassed, and Audrey started giving me a special smile. Could she be developing a crush on me? I shook my head to clear my thoughts. The smile could just be for platonic reasons.
"Greg, are you ok?" Audrey asked me concerned.
"Yes, just thinking about what we did today," I responded.
"Yeah we kept getting embarrassed, but it was still fun," Audrey noted.
I nodded with smile! The day was fun despite the embarrassing moments! You always have to have the good with the bad! We returned back to the trailer and to my surprised it seems quiet. I figured Melvin would still be screaming in horror. I guess he finally toughen up. We entered the trailer to find Melvin on the floor, moaning softly and Lotta towering over him with a concerned look. Well looks like Melvin is still a drama gueen!
"Melvin, is in pain on the floor? Normally I would be pissed about missing what happened, but I am glad I spent the time with you instead Greg!" Audrey stated.
"Same here Audrey!" I responded.
"Hey guys! Welcome back! Melvin, just couldn't handle all that glitter and it didn't help when I decided to share my perfume with him," Lotta explained.
I took a sniff and caught a scent of cinnamon, causing me to smile.
"I like the smell of your perfume Lotta." I told her.
She gave me a smile and started blushing a bit.
"Thanks, Greg! Glad someone other than the girls love it!" Lotta said.
I looked back at Audrey to see a small frown on her face. Is she jealous? I will worry about that later! I walked towards Melvin and started shaking him. After a few seconds he sat back up and gave me a frown.
"Hello, traitor! Thanks for everything!" Melvin sneered sarcastically.
"Hello, Jerk. Thanks for everything!" I stated cheerfully.
"I have been totured for about 3 hours and this is how you treat me!" Melvin complained.
"You always were a drama queen Melvin! Let's go!" I responded while shaking my head in annoyance.
Melvin only gave me a glare before leaving the trailer. I shook my head and turned towards the girls. Audrey had an amused look on her face while Lotta had a small frown.
"Bye girls! It was nice meeting you despite the circumstances," I said while walking towards the exit.
"Bye, Greg. I hope next time we could make some arts and crafts," Lotta said with a smile.
"Of course! I will let you know," I responded.
"Will you be able to put up with Melvin?" Audrey asked concerned.
"No problem. I have dealt with much worst from him. I am sure he will get over it soon," I responded with a smile.
Audrey only chuckled in response. After leaving the trailer I saw Melvin walking ahead without me. I chuckled while wondering if I should wait before following; to prevent Melvin from getting his crown burned. I shook my head before catching up to him. Not even Melvin deserves to have their prized possession destroyed. When we finally made it back home, Melvin tried to slam the door in my face. I shook my head and took a deep breath. It's going to be hard around the house for a bit.
"Welcome back boys! Did you have fun," Auntie asked us.
"No, Greg here has befriended those rotten girls!" Melvin shouted angrily.
"That's great! Melvin why can't you be more like him?" Auntie stated with a smile.
Melvin just growled and stormed off to his room. I almost feel sorry for him but I shook it off. He is being ridiculous afterall.
"Sorry about Melvin. I don't know what to do with him half the time," auntie told me with a small frown.
"It's fine. I will just let him cool off," I responded.
"Good idea! Now how about lunch?" auntie suggested.
I nodded and followed her to the kitchen to find grilled cheese sandwiches. I grabbed a couple sandwiches and some root beer before taking a seat at the table.
"Did you have fun today?" auntie asked me.
"Yeah, I had a lot of fun with Audrey," I said with a smile.
"No wonder Melvin is angry!" Auntie said amused.
You don't know half of it auntie. I might remember this day for a really long time but i'm not complaining or anything. In fact the opposite is true! If I have more days like this one, spending the summer here will be worth it. After I finished my sandwiches Melvin entered the kitchen in silence. I hope he calmed down.
"Melvin, i hoped you are calm."
"Yes, mother. I managed to get over what happened. Just know that I still plan to get revenge," Melvin said with an evil smile.
I shook my head in annoyance. Why can't Melvin just let it go?
"Melvin! Don't plan revenge on Greg just because he befriended the girls!" auntie scolded.
"But, mom!" Melvin snapped.
"No buts!" auntie yelled.
"Yes, mother!" Melvin said with a frown.
Melvin gave me a dirty look before leaving the kitchen. I swear if Melvin thinks he is going to ruin things for me, he has another thing coming!
"Don't worry about Melvin! If he does something I really will burn that crown of his," auntie told me.
She was kidding before about that? Wow, I hope Melvin doesn't find out about this. I nodded in response before leaving the kitchen and entering the living room to watch some television. I have to admit that this summer has taken an interesting start and I can't wait to see where it goes!
I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I hope I am not pushing Greg and Audrey's releationship too quickly. Chapter 3 might take a little longer since I plan on restarting it from scratch. I plan on having Greg develop friendships with many of the other characters in their own chapters before moving on to some interesting adventures. I have a few ideas down but i haven't really developed them beyond basic plot ideas.
On an unrelated note I am excited the dub for super is finally on the tournament of power! Plus the dub version of limit break x survivor! I can't stop listening it to it! Sucks we have to wait two weeks for the next episode though. I hope this doesn't become more of a regular thing. Well have a nice day :)!