***Had to make a slight change to the end of this chapter! Don't worry, it's worth it!***
Summer's reeds are all engraved in ice
As is your image in my eye
Dry frost glazes the window of my hurt
What solace can be struck from rock
To make heart's wastes grow green again?
Who'd walk in this bleak place?
I have resolved to patch things up with Arnold before school starts. Despite this, I did not see Arnold the next day. Or the day after that. Or the day after that.
So here I am today, the Sunday before school. I reach over to my nighstand and grab my phone. My heart throbs, and I anxiously flick the screen on: No new massages. I groan, swipping through my apps to distract myself. I click on Fruit Ninja.
It's an amazingly mind-numbing and addictive game. I've almost make it to level twenty! I swip furiously. It looks like this time I may set a new high score! Almost there and- the screen goes blank.
"What?!" I growl. "AHHHHH!"
I want to chuck the thing across the room. Can I find no solace?
My phone's been acting weird ever since that day at the community pool. I wouldn't be surprised if there is water damage. Criminy.
I decide against chucking it into the wall. Instead I run downstairs to find Bob. He's in the living room watching the Wheel, no surprise here.
"Hey, Dad," I say, emphasis on Dad.
"Hmmph," he grunts, acknowledging me as he always does.
"So Dad, my phone's been acting real funny lately. I was thinking, maybe its a good time for an upgrade?"
He ignores me. No, that won't work. Think, Helga, think. A moment passes and then I have it!
"I mean, I'll be going back to school tomorrow and wouldn't that be a perfect time to show off our new phone cases?"
I have his attention.
"You know those Big Bob Bumper Boxes? But the thing is, the new line's for the Iphone 6 and, well, I only have the 5... so..."
"Sure, Olga," he booms, "Go get yourself a new phone! And make sure to get one of those cases with the big logo on it!"
"Gee, thanks Dad!" I exclaim too enthusiastically.
He doesn't notice though. In fact, he seems rather pleased with himself. I don't even mind he forgot my name again. I mean, sure, I may have parents that barely notice my existance, but being a Pataki does have its perks. And these perks come in the form of free stuff. Lots of free, expensive stuff.
Wearing my usual jeans and raglan shirt, I head over to the emporium. Once inside, I make my way straight to the back counter. I drop my old phone on the counter and look up to see a scrawny, pimply boy a few years younger than me.
"Hey, junior," I say "I need an upgrade."
"H-hi, Miss Pataki," he responds nervously. "What were you think-"
"Iphone 6s, black if you have it," I interrup. "Oh and throw in one of those new Bob Bumper- whatever cases while your at it. Just plain with a big logo. My Dad wants to get some mileage outta this."
I lean against the counter impatiently as he runs in the back to get my new phone. I tap my fingers against the glass. I don't know why I'm so anxious. There's hardly anyone else in the store and I'm in no hurry...
He returns with my new phone and case, both black. It only takes him a few minutes to switch my information over, but I feel as if I'm waiting for hours. Maybe once my phone situation is fixed I'll get a flood of missed messages? Preferably all from Arnold in which he declares his undying love from me despite the fact I've been a total bitch lately. Is that asking too much?
"Anything wrong with this one?" he asks.
"Huh?"
I hadn't been paying attention.
"Your 5? Is it broken or-"
"Yeah it's busted," I shurg. "I mean, I got it drenched and then it's been turning off for no reason."
"Let me check the battery?" he offers.
"I've charged it plenty," I scoff. "The things just, I don't know, busted."
He ignores me and proceeds to take out the tiny screws at the bottom. Hmm, I never even noticed them. And then he does something I'd never seen before; he removes the screen! I watch in awe at how effortlessly he takes my old phone apart. He then pulls out the battery and takes a closer look.
"Yup, it's the battery," he says triumpetly. "Looks like there's some water damage, but the phone itself should be ok."
He replaces the battery with a new one, then puts everything back together. He powers up the phone and hands it back to me.
"Should be good as new," he says. "Just in case you need a back up."
He smiles sheepishly and then blushes? Sheesh, where does my Dad find these people?
"Umm, gee thanks," I say, fiddling with it.
"I guess I can pawn this off," I think to myself. "Yeah, I could probably get two hundred bucks for it and there are these new Nancy Spumoni combat boots..." I grin mischievously and shove it back into my pocket. Then I notice my new phone on the counter. Or should I say tablet? The thing is huge.
"Uhh, what the hell is this?" I ask. "I didn't want the Plus."
"Oh that's just the case," he says, reaching out to grab the phone back.
I hand it over. He peels off the outer layer of the case, which is a thick rubber. The next layer is another case, the screen protector, and weird bumber things on the corner. Buried inside of all this is the phone. He was right, it looks tiny. I roll my eyes at this monstrosity. These freebies always have strings attached.
"Criminy," I groan. "What a maroon! Who's even gonna buy these damn things?!"
The kid shrugs and looks slightly scared. I shouldn't berate him. I give him a smile and try to slip it into my other pocket. It barely fits. I don't carry purses so this will be an adjustment.
"Anything else, Miss Pataki?" he asks.
"Nah, but thanks kid," I say, making a mental note to put in a good word with Bob for him.
Again he blushes. I turn to leave, then I feel my face grow hot, too. I feel as if all the wind has been knocked out of me. Arnold just walked in.
"Ohh, who's that?" cooes a girl's voice.
A petite brunette wearing too much make-up had just appeared ad the counter. She leans over with her tongue practically wagging and her shirt unbuttoned way too low. Jeez these girls just keep getting sluttier. Like the kid who helped me, she can't be older than fourteen. She makes a move towards Arnold, but I yank her back by the collar.
"Shove off tootes," I growl. "Go break down boxes in the back."
I point her in the direction of exile. She glares at me before retreating to the back again. I let myself enjoy this for a moment before I turn to face Arnold. After I deep breath, I swallow my nerves and walk straight up to him. He notices me just before I reach out to tap him on the shoulder.
We both pause a moment, not saying a word. Then I notice my hand outstretched awkwardly. I decide to just go with it. I throw both my hands up and exclaim very sarcastically, "Welcome to Big Bob's!"
Arnold leans back and crosses his arms. He's grinning though.
"Thought I might run into you," he says.
My heart summersaults down into my gut.
"What can I help you with today, sir?"
I continue the charade. I need to keep talking so I don't faint. Apologies are not my forte, but being a smart ass? That's right up my alley. Arnold seems amused anyway, at least enough to play along.
"Oh, I just need a new phone, something economical."
"Right this way," I say.
I grab his arm and drag him behind me, very professional. I take him to a flashy new display.
"Here we have our new line of Samsung, uh, Galaxy S6 edge+," I read off the display. "An immersive display, break through dual edge, live video sharing in real time and, uh, a lot of big thrills. Sheesh, whatever that means. Basically this phone is totally boss and you should get it."
"Uh, Helga, it's six hundred bucks," he says, pointing to the smaller print. "And, I've only got a hundred on me."
"Oh, right, you said 'economical'," I say teasingly. "I guess that's what happens when you spend your entire summer working for free. You know this isn't Goodwill, bucko. Go big or go home."
Now he doesn't look so amused. I'm afraid he might walk away.
"Uh, wait a minute, Arnold," I say hurriedly. "I'm, uh, sure we have something."
I run to the back
"Hey kid," I call out. "What's the cheapest thing we got? Under a hundred bucks!"
He stares at me.
"What are you deaf?" I say "What do we got?"
"We have some refurbished iphone 2s," he replies finally. "And a few old Samsungs. But honestly-"
"Nah, I want something new. Something nice," I say.
He looks lost, and I know why. Nothing here is cheap. Everything is new and top of the line. That way Bob can jack up the prices. I groan and trudge back to Arnold. I notice he has his old phone out. He's the last kid I know of that still uses a flip phone. A large crack runs down it's center, disfiguring the clock.
"Criminy what even is that?" I smirk, flipping the phone shut with a loud "CLACK!"
He looks up, half annoyed and half smiling.
"Ha, ha," he deadpans.
"Check this out," I say pulling out my new phone. "Look what Bob's putting me through this time. I mean he thinks people will actually buy this shit."
He laughs, taking it in two hands, to exaggerate how large it is. When I let go, he pretends fall forward, as if it's heavy.
"I think I'll just stick with my flip phone," he laughs, examining the ridiculousness in all its horrific glory.
"Ha, yeah right!" I scoff. "I only have to use that thing for a few weeks. After that I got a brand new Iphone 6s free of charge."
I snatch my phone back shove it back in my pocket. Only this time, I reached for the wrong side. My other phone hits against it and then a light bulb goes off.
"Actually, we do have something," I say with an obvious change of tone to my voice.
I pull out my other Iphone and drop it into his hands. Guess I won't be getting those new combat boots afterall...
"The battery had some water damage, but we replaced it. Should be good as new," I say.
He looks at me perplexed.
"Oh you don't have-"
"It's on the house," I cut it. "I mean, I just got my brand new Iphone, what would I need that old thing for?"
I regain my composure through my sarcastic words. That is until he looks up at me with those angelic eyes.
"Really, Helga?"
I do have a habit of always getting him what he needs. And for him to register that just makes me melt. I don't even remember responding. All I know is that now he's pulling me towards him.
"Hey you don't have to get all mushy-" I barely mumble before my voice breaks off.
It's impossible to keep up my front now. I return his embrace. I know this goes beyond just giving him something. He has missed me afterall and just as much as I've missed him. My entire body is on fire. As much as I adore the kid, I abhore PDA. I feel as if hundreds of eyes are watching me. I just want to sink into oblivion, taking him with me of course.
"Hey, why don't you come back to my place?" he offers, as if reading my mind.
"Huh?" I gasp.
"Yeah," he says bashfully, "if you want to that is... and, oh, I have something for you."