Downtime

MAY 15th, 2011

How long has it been since I felt relaxed? Not so often. Finding out about Margaret's rape and then having to hang out with the guy who did it? A mental nightmare: I nearly lost it being in the same room with that guy. In the end though, I made it and I may have reached a realization. Even though I thought Repar wasn't right for Margaret, she seemed happy with him. I guess she really did move on and I may have to do the same. It's not going to be easy, moving on from someone I deeply loved. But if I didn't, I would probably miss out on really finding the right girl for me.

Oh who am I kidding? I'll always love Margaret…but…I have to move on. Somehow…

The one thing that still pisses me off though, is that Repar basically got away with rape; being so easily forgiven. I know, I know, I'm supposed to forgive him too…but damn, if something like that doesn't mess with your mind, what does?

My sickness went away not too long after I left Margaret's house that one day. I guess after losing sleep over the rape issue, I must have caught something due to my weaken immune system from lack of sleep. Now, fully rested, I couldn't feel any better.

While getting ready for a full day of chores, my cell phone vibrated. To my surprise, it was Adria. I hadn't heard from her in a while.

[Adria]: Hi hi

[Me]: Hey

[Adria]: Are you busy today?

[Me]: Not really. I have chores to do, but after that I'm free. Why do u ask?

[Adria]: Just wanted to see u and Rigby. It's been a while.

[Me]: Sure, that's cool. I'll let u know when I'm done.

[Adria]: K, later.

"Adria's coming to visit?" Rigby asked while sitting on the grass, while I was picking up trash with a litter stick and putting it in the bag

"Yeah, after we're done today's chores and can you please get up and help me out?" I said a little frustrated.

"Ugh, fine," he got up reluctantly and picked up his stick. "Hey Mordecai?"

"What?"

"Well…are you okay?"

"What are you talking about?"

"You just seem to be acting strange lately: Sad on some days and then okay on others."

"I'm good."

"Really?"

"Yeah, nothing that needs your immediate attention."

"Immediate attention?"

Shit, wrong choice of words.

I stammered, "I'm fine man, don't worry."

I need to start preparing myself for those types of questions.

"…Okay. Anyway, I can't wait to see Adria. She used to be so shy back in high school."

"Yeah, now she's a little more outgoing. Come to think of it, we all were kind of different in high school."

"I remember, you used to be like me," Rigby said.

"No way!" I argued.

"You totally were!"

"Okay, maybe a little, but that was a really short phase I went through. You're still the same as you were in high school."

"How?"

"You're still wild, immature, and can't take a punch."

"Yes, I can!"

"Alright, come here then."

"You know I think I need to get back to this trash…" Rigby turned around, trying to avoid the situation.

"Oh no you don't, come here. I'm going to punch you the exact same way I do when we play punchies. If you don't fly through the air after I punch you, then you can take a punch. If you do, then I'm right."

He overcame his fear and went to me. "It's on!" He faced his shoulder to me.

"Last chance to back out dude: keep your pride intact," I joked. He gave me a nod to go ahead.

I pulled back and let the punch go against Rigby's shoulder. Not to my surprise, he flew in the air a few feet and landed in a bush. Unfortunately, Benson spotted this while driving in the golf cart. He approached us immediately.

"Mordecai, what are you doing?"

"Nothing Benson."

"Oh really? Then where's Rigby?"

Benson and I heard grunting from the bush that Rigby landed in.

"Right…here…" he said in slight pain getting out of the bush.

"Look, both of you, knock it off and get back to work!" Benson drove off. Once he was out of sight. I turned to Rigby and smiled.

"Hmph. Hmph. Looks like I was right."

"STOP TALKING!"

Heh…haven't heard that in a while.

"Dude, I thought you said Adria would be here soon." Rigby said, tapping the table impatiently.

"She will. She just texted me saying she was on her wa-. There she is!" I said spotting Adria from a distance. She still had that same gorgeous hair style: It's kind of become a trademark. She was a wearing a pink tee and blue jeans. I waved to her to come to the snack bar. She followed and met up with me and Rigby.

"Hey Mordecai," she hugged me. "Hey Rigby," she patted him on the head, mocking jokingly at his shortness. If anyone else did that, he'd be pissed, but she's his friend and he knows it's all out of fun.

"So what have you been up to?" Rigby asked.

"Nothing much: The neighborhood I live in is kind of dull. I imagine here, it's a little more exciting?"

"You have no idea…" I said rubbing the back of my neck. I felt Rigby staring at me.

[xxxxxxxxxxxxx]

"And then, Mordecai punched him right in his mouth!" Rigby exclaimed, standing on the bench.

"Green toad deserved it. I never really liked him," Adria said.

Who would?

"Mordecai was the hero of that funeral," Rigby said patting me on the back.

"That awesome!" Adria smiled. "It's good that you stood up to Muscleman and gave him what he deserved."

I couldn't help but blush at the praise I was getting. Seemed so long ago since that happened.

I had my phone on me at the time and it started to vibrate: It was Rhonda. While Adria and Rigby were in conversation, I took a look at the text.

[Me]: Hey

[Rhonda]: Hi

[Me]: How ya feelin?

[Rhonda]: Truth? Not so hot.

[Me]: What's wrong? U can tell me

[Rhonda]: I know, I will but not now…o god Mordo, it hurts so bad. I just can't, I'm sorry.

[Me]: Ok…as much as I want to help, I'll let you u sit this one out for awhile. Just tell me when you want to talk *hugs*

I was worried. I was trying to figure out what exactly was going on. I remember a few days ago, she texted me about a guy she met during her travels and that they are now in a relationship. I'm hoping nothing bad happened between those two. She seemed really happy to be with him.

[xxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Adria, Rigby, and I were sitting under the shade of tree. It reminded me of the times during high school, when all three of us used to hang out in the schoolyard during lunch. We wouldn't talk much, just look out at the clouds and relax.

I felt tempted to wrap my arms around Adria, just for the heck of it. It reminded me when she used to be my main love interest before Margaret was. Maybe it's time I should focus on Adria now.

You couldn't get her to realize your attraction to her last time. What if it doesn't work this time?

I have to try.

True, but keep your options open. There could be someone better out there.

"Mordecai…Rigby…come in the house!" I heard faintly. I heard the same thing again and opened my eyes, realizing that all three of us fell asleep at some point. It was getting getting pretty dark now. I saw Benson in the distance at the door entrance, the lights on. He was calling us in. I nudged Rigby to wake him up. He groaned and went to the house. I helped Adria up and she held on to my shoulder so I could guide her to the house. I blushed.

You see, Adria has a hard time seeing in the dark, so she needs people to guide her through it. I found out about this a few years ago and I still blush whenever I guide her through the dark. I guess it just feels good to know I'm helping someone I care about. Funny, it reminds of being that kid from "Ico" who helped the girl through the castle. (Inside joke)

Benson led us to the living room: Skips, Pops, and Rigby were sitting on the couch. Adria and I sat on the arm. Benson stood in front of us all.

"I called all of you in here, because Pops has something to announce." Pops then stood up.

"I will be reciting my delightful poem at my Papa's formal party this weekend and you are all invited!" He laughed joyfully. We were all happy to hear this.

"Pops convinced his father to let us come and Adria, if you want, you can come too. She can come with us, right Pops?" Benson asked.

"Most definitely!"

"Thanks, I'll find something nice to wear and meet you guys here when it's time." Adria said.

Adria then had to leave so I walked her to the door.

"It was nice seeing you again Mordecai. I'm looking forward to the party."

"Me too."

"Yeah well…I'll talk to you later?"

"Sure," I said in a shaky voice.

"Okay, good night."

"Night." Adria walked out the door. I closed it and turned around to see Rigby looking at me, with a smile on his face.

"What?" I asked.

"You're totally blushing dude," Rigby said.

"No I'm not!"

"Yes you are! See for yourself."

"I will." I went to the bathroom and looked in the mirror.

I was blushing.