Chapter 2: The Goodbye
"I'm in love with little brother's best friend. Alan Twitty!" Those words danced through Twitty's head everyday since. He knew it wasn't true, Ren only said it to get back at Louis and him for making a prank call on her. The sheer thought of Ren being in love with him made Twitty feel like he could fly. In his eyes, Ren was the ideal picture of perfection. She was everything any guy would want. She was pretty, smart and talented. and single, very much single. Was Bobby blind? Or was he just plain stupid? Bobby cheated on Ren with a girl who could never compare to Ren's beauty. Could she ever feel the same? He wondered.
"Twitty, hey, dude, I'm leaving in less than an hour! Get your head out of the clouds and let's go!" yelled Louis.
"Oh yeah, sorry dude, let's go. is, uh Ren coming?"
"Twitty. Ren?"
".And Donnie and your parents?"
"Yeah, they are. Dads coming with me to check out Washington. I can't believe we might move there!"
"Yeah, I'll miss Ren, I mean them. I'll miss them, you know, all of you guys."
"Louis! Twitty! Come on we're leaving!" Ren's voice floated up from the base of the stairs. Twitty's heart skipped a beat.
"Yeah, we'll be down in a sec." Louis and Twitty grabbed Louis' bags and headed down the stairs. Tawny was waiting with Ren and the rest of the Stevens family. The bags were placed in the back of the spacious van and then everyone piled in. Mr. Stevens was driving; Mrs. Stevens was in the passenger seat. Donnie took his own car, he didn't want to be seen in a van with him mother and his car would seem a lot more attractive to the opposite sex. Tawny and Louis sat in the middle seats while Ren and Twitty took the back.
Tawny and Louis were in a very deep conversation while Ren and Twitty were playing Rock, Paper, Scissors.
"Ha! I win Twitty! Paper covers Rock!" yelled a triumphant Ren.
"Well, next round, I'll win! I guarantee it!" said Twitty.
"Rock, paper, scissors!" they said together.
"Ha! I win!"
"Twitty what the heck is that? Your pinkie?"
"Ren, it's bomb, tick, tick, tick. Boom! Your rock is outta here!"
"Twitty! You cheater!" said Ren, punching Twitty playfully in the arm. Twitty began to tickle Ren's stomach. Ren was laughing like crazy. Ren bent over to try and tickle him back but with no success. Ren's head was right under Twitty's chin. He smelled her hair. She smelled like vanilla. She playfully slapped his hands and he stopped tickling her. He then grabbed her hand in his. They were both breathing heavily. He looked deep in her eyes. She let out a small laugh as her head neared his. for the rest of the trip they just sat. looking in each other's eyes, unaware that Mrs. Stevens was looking at them through the mirror. Their heads were barely inches apart slowly growing closer and closer.
"Kids we're here!" said Mr. Stevens. Ren and Twitty snapped out of their little moment. He quickly let go of her hands and un-did his seatbelt. Ren fidgeted a bit trying to undo hers.
"Erg! Stupid belt! How is this safe? If we got in an accident and I had to get out of the van as fast as possible, I wouldn't be able to! I'd be trapped! I'd be dead!" Ren whimpered. Ren jumped at the gentle touch on her shoulder. The warmth from Twitty's hand sent a spark throughout her body.
"Ren, relax, you're fine. I'll make sure you're always fine," said Twitty comforting her. He helped her with the seat belt. He stepped out of the van and held his out to her. He helped her out of the van but she tripped and fell into his arms. His arms were wrapped tightly around her. She felt safer than she had ever felt in her life. She felt as if nothing bad could ever reach her.
"Ren, Twitty, come on and give us a hand with these bags," said Mrs. Stevens. Ren and Twitty quickly separated and walked quickly towards the back of the van. Twitty was carrying 3 bags, or well trying to. Ren looked at him and giggled as she watched him try to carry them all. He could really hurt himself! Ren ran up to him and took one of the bags.
"Thanks. Ren," he said nervously.
"No problem, Twitty," she replied. Together with the rest of the crew they walked into the airport. They got their tickets and were ready to get on their flight. Ren and Donnie said goodbye to Mr. Stevens and Louis. Twitty said goodbye to Louis and Mr. Stevens. Louis and Tawny went off for a few minutes alone. Donnie left the airport and Mr. and Mrs. Stevens went off also to be alone for a few minutes. Twitty and Ren were alone, waiting for Tawny and Mrs. Stevens to return.
"So, what do you think is going on between Tawny and Louis?" asked Ren.
"I don't know. They've liked each other since forever and they're not together. I don't get it."
"Me neither. Those two are meant to be with each other. When you're meant to be you just know, you know?" Ren looked at Twitty.
"Yeah, I guess." Twitty looked down at the floor. Could we be meant to be, Ren?
"How about you, Twitty? Have you ever felt that way about anyone?" asked Ren, unknowing to what Twitty felt about her. Something was there though. For Twitty. Maybe, just maybe. She didn't know why. He was younger. she was older. it would never work. or could it?
"Uh, yeah, Ren, actually, yeah. I have felt that way about someone. I still feel that way about that someone actually. Why? Have you ever felt that way?"
"I don't know yet. I mean I thought Bobby and I." Ren broke off and turned away from Twitty. Twitty reached for her face and made her look at him.
"Ren, Bobby was an idiot. He's the dumbest person I've ever met. Ren, you are beautiful, smart and talented. You are perfect. Bobby wouldn't recognize perfection if it introduced itself in the LJH wombat costume. Don't think about Bobby anymore. It's been a month already. He's long gone and he didn't even think to try and get you back. He's not worth your pretty mind thinking about him. Think about other things," said Twitty, sweetly. A tear fell onto Ren's cheek. Twitty wiped it gently off her silky skin. Ren felt warm all over. How could he possibly be so sweet? Twitty, thank you. Ren reached up and kissed him on the cheek. She then looked into his eyes and slowly touched his lips with hers. They kissed softly, like the softest rose blooming delicately. She wrapped her arms around his neck and he wrapped his around her waist as their kiss deepened slightly. She pulled away.
"Twitty, are you sure you want to do this?" Ren wasn't sure if this was right. She liked Twitty. She was sure of that now. After her breakup with Bobby a month ago, Twitty began spending more and more time with her. She was over Bobby but she couldn't help but still feel a little something for him. She had began feeling something for Twitty. What? She couldn't really say. Something but she wasn't sure what. Now, that moment, that kiss had changed everything. Not just the kiss but the way he treated her, he didn't treat her like an overachieving know-it-all, or like his best friend's older sister, he treated her like a person. Right now, being in his arms confirmed what she felt. She really liked him.
"Ren, I." Twitty began. Suddenly, the sound of Mrs. Stevens' voice echoed through the room. They were back. Twitty and Ren quickly let go of each other. Twitty and Ren wiped their lips and began a false conversation. Tawny and Louis came back holding hands and stopped in front of the door. Louis wiped a tear from her cheek and kissed her gently.
"I guess we know that they're together. I hope they're together for a while. Louis is crazy about Tawny," said Ren, sighing deeply still thinking about the soft kiss she just experienced with Twitty. Then it hit her. Twitty. He was Louis' best friend. Her younger brother's best friend! How could she do this to him?
Ren walked up to Louis once Tawny was finished saying her goodbyes. "Louis, I just want to thank you for everything. You helped me though a very difficult time, you know, with me and Bobby. You didn't have to show me the tape but you did,"
"What are you trying to say here, Ren?"
"Well. Louis. Thanks. Ummm, I'll miss you and. I love you, Louis!"
"Yeah, good for you, Ren!"
"Aren't you gonna say it back? Or at least say you'll miss me?"
"Yeah, okay, bye, Ren."
"Louis! I'm gonna miss this!" Ren ran off to the bathroom crying.
Once Mr. Stevens and Louis got on the plane Twitty, Ren, Tawny and Mrs. Stevens walked to the car. "Ren, can I talk to you?" asked Tawny.
"Yeah, sure." Tawny sat in the back and Twitty sat in the middle section of the van. He thought Ren was going to sit with him. Ren looked at Twitty, then at Tawny. Tawny needed her right now. There was no doubt that she needed to talk to Twitty, too, but Tawny looked miserable. Ren went and sat beside Tawny. Twitty looked hurt. He shut the van door and strapped himself in.
"What's up, Tawny?" asked Ren.
"It's Louis," she said looking down at her shoes.
"What's wrong with Louis?"
"He and I were talking and he said he loved me."
"Oh my God, Tawny, that's great! He's rarely even said he loved me!" She hugged Tawny tightly, tears forming in her eyes.
"That's not it, Ren. The thing is, I'm in love with him."
"Tawny, really, this is amazing."
"Ren, you're not hearing me. Yes, I'm in love with Louis. I love him more than I ever thought I could love someone but I've never told anyone that I loved them before. At the airport, he said it to me and I couldn't say it back. I didn't know what was wrong with me. He said it was alright but I know its probably killing him. Ren, what's wrong with me?"
"Tawny. Don't worry, Louis knows how you feel about him. I know he does. Even if you can't say it. It's okay if you're not ready to say it. It's a big thing. Saying I love you isn't as easy as they make it in the movies."
"Okay Tawny, you're up first. Here you go," said Mrs. Stevens stopping the car.
"Thanks, Mrs. Stevens. Thanks, Ren," said Tawny giving Ren a hug. Twitty took this chance to talk to Ren. When Tawny got out, Twitty quickly moved beside Ren.
"Ren, we need to talk," he said abruptly.
"What is it, Twitty?"
"Ren, please, don't act like nothing happened."
"Twitty, we were just swept in the moment. My mom and dad were all mushy and the same goes for Tawny and Louis, that's why we got all mushed."
"Ren, you really think that was it?
"Twitty, please, let's not make a big deal out of this. My mom is right there. She might hear you!"
"I'm in love with little brother's best friend. Alan Twitty!" Those words danced through Twitty's head everyday since. He knew it wasn't true, Ren only said it to get back at Louis and him for making a prank call on her. The sheer thought of Ren being in love with him made Twitty feel like he could fly. In his eyes, Ren was the ideal picture of perfection. She was everything any guy would want. She was pretty, smart and talented. and single, very much single. Was Bobby blind? Or was he just plain stupid? Bobby cheated on Ren with a girl who could never compare to Ren's beauty. Could she ever feel the same? He wondered.
"Twitty, hey, dude, I'm leaving in less than an hour! Get your head out of the clouds and let's go!" yelled Louis.
"Oh yeah, sorry dude, let's go. is, uh Ren coming?"
"Twitty. Ren?"
".And Donnie and your parents?"
"Yeah, they are. Dads coming with me to check out Washington. I can't believe we might move there!"
"Yeah, I'll miss Ren, I mean them. I'll miss them, you know, all of you guys."
"Louis! Twitty! Come on we're leaving!" Ren's voice floated up from the base of the stairs. Twitty's heart skipped a beat.
"Yeah, we'll be down in a sec." Louis and Twitty grabbed Louis' bags and headed down the stairs. Tawny was waiting with Ren and the rest of the Stevens family. The bags were placed in the back of the spacious van and then everyone piled in. Mr. Stevens was driving; Mrs. Stevens was in the passenger seat. Donnie took his own car, he didn't want to be seen in a van with him mother and his car would seem a lot more attractive to the opposite sex. Tawny and Louis sat in the middle seats while Ren and Twitty took the back.
Tawny and Louis were in a very deep conversation while Ren and Twitty were playing Rock, Paper, Scissors.
"Ha! I win Twitty! Paper covers Rock!" yelled a triumphant Ren.
"Well, next round, I'll win! I guarantee it!" said Twitty.
"Rock, paper, scissors!" they said together.
"Ha! I win!"
"Twitty what the heck is that? Your pinkie?"
"Ren, it's bomb, tick, tick, tick. Boom! Your rock is outta here!"
"Twitty! You cheater!" said Ren, punching Twitty playfully in the arm. Twitty began to tickle Ren's stomach. Ren was laughing like crazy. Ren bent over to try and tickle him back but with no success. Ren's head was right under Twitty's chin. He smelled her hair. She smelled like vanilla. She playfully slapped his hands and he stopped tickling her. He then grabbed her hand in his. They were both breathing heavily. He looked deep in her eyes. She let out a small laugh as her head neared his. for the rest of the trip they just sat. looking in each other's eyes, unaware that Mrs. Stevens was looking at them through the mirror. Their heads were barely inches apart slowly growing closer and closer.
"Kids we're here!" said Mr. Stevens. Ren and Twitty snapped out of their little moment. He quickly let go of her hands and un-did his seatbelt. Ren fidgeted a bit trying to undo hers.
"Erg! Stupid belt! How is this safe? If we got in an accident and I had to get out of the van as fast as possible, I wouldn't be able to! I'd be trapped! I'd be dead!" Ren whimpered. Ren jumped at the gentle touch on her shoulder. The warmth from Twitty's hand sent a spark throughout her body.
"Ren, relax, you're fine. I'll make sure you're always fine," said Twitty comforting her. He helped her with the seat belt. He stepped out of the van and held his out to her. He helped her out of the van but she tripped and fell into his arms. His arms were wrapped tightly around her. She felt safer than she had ever felt in her life. She felt as if nothing bad could ever reach her.
"Ren, Twitty, come on and give us a hand with these bags," said Mrs. Stevens. Ren and Twitty quickly separated and walked quickly towards the back of the van. Twitty was carrying 3 bags, or well trying to. Ren looked at him and giggled as she watched him try to carry them all. He could really hurt himself! Ren ran up to him and took one of the bags.
"Thanks. Ren," he said nervously.
"No problem, Twitty," she replied. Together with the rest of the crew they walked into the airport. They got their tickets and were ready to get on their flight. Ren and Donnie said goodbye to Mr. Stevens and Louis. Twitty said goodbye to Louis and Mr. Stevens. Louis and Tawny went off for a few minutes alone. Donnie left the airport and Mr. and Mrs. Stevens went off also to be alone for a few minutes. Twitty and Ren were alone, waiting for Tawny and Mrs. Stevens to return.
"So, what do you think is going on between Tawny and Louis?" asked Ren.
"I don't know. They've liked each other since forever and they're not together. I don't get it."
"Me neither. Those two are meant to be with each other. When you're meant to be you just know, you know?" Ren looked at Twitty.
"Yeah, I guess." Twitty looked down at the floor. Could we be meant to be, Ren?
"How about you, Twitty? Have you ever felt that way about anyone?" asked Ren, unknowing to what Twitty felt about her. Something was there though. For Twitty. Maybe, just maybe. She didn't know why. He was younger. she was older. it would never work. or could it?
"Uh, yeah, Ren, actually, yeah. I have felt that way about someone. I still feel that way about that someone actually. Why? Have you ever felt that way?"
"I don't know yet. I mean I thought Bobby and I." Ren broke off and turned away from Twitty. Twitty reached for her face and made her look at him.
"Ren, Bobby was an idiot. He's the dumbest person I've ever met. Ren, you are beautiful, smart and talented. You are perfect. Bobby wouldn't recognize perfection if it introduced itself in the LJH wombat costume. Don't think about Bobby anymore. It's been a month already. He's long gone and he didn't even think to try and get you back. He's not worth your pretty mind thinking about him. Think about other things," said Twitty, sweetly. A tear fell onto Ren's cheek. Twitty wiped it gently off her silky skin. Ren felt warm all over. How could he possibly be so sweet? Twitty, thank you. Ren reached up and kissed him on the cheek. She then looked into his eyes and slowly touched his lips with hers. They kissed softly, like the softest rose blooming delicately. She wrapped her arms around his neck and he wrapped his around her waist as their kiss deepened slightly. She pulled away.
"Twitty, are you sure you want to do this?" Ren wasn't sure if this was right. She liked Twitty. She was sure of that now. After her breakup with Bobby a month ago, Twitty began spending more and more time with her. She was over Bobby but she couldn't help but still feel a little something for him. She had began feeling something for Twitty. What? She couldn't really say. Something but she wasn't sure what. Now, that moment, that kiss had changed everything. Not just the kiss but the way he treated her, he didn't treat her like an overachieving know-it-all, or like his best friend's older sister, he treated her like a person. Right now, being in his arms confirmed what she felt. She really liked him.
"Ren, I." Twitty began. Suddenly, the sound of Mrs. Stevens' voice echoed through the room. They were back. Twitty and Ren quickly let go of each other. Twitty and Ren wiped their lips and began a false conversation. Tawny and Louis came back holding hands and stopped in front of the door. Louis wiped a tear from her cheek and kissed her gently.
"I guess we know that they're together. I hope they're together for a while. Louis is crazy about Tawny," said Ren, sighing deeply still thinking about the soft kiss she just experienced with Twitty. Then it hit her. Twitty. He was Louis' best friend. Her younger brother's best friend! How could she do this to him?
Ren walked up to Louis once Tawny was finished saying her goodbyes. "Louis, I just want to thank you for everything. You helped me though a very difficult time, you know, with me and Bobby. You didn't have to show me the tape but you did,"
"What are you trying to say here, Ren?"
"Well. Louis. Thanks. Ummm, I'll miss you and. I love you, Louis!"
"Yeah, good for you, Ren!"
"Aren't you gonna say it back? Or at least say you'll miss me?"
"Yeah, okay, bye, Ren."
"Louis! I'm gonna miss this!" Ren ran off to the bathroom crying.
Once Mr. Stevens and Louis got on the plane Twitty, Ren, Tawny and Mrs. Stevens walked to the car. "Ren, can I talk to you?" asked Tawny.
"Yeah, sure." Tawny sat in the back and Twitty sat in the middle section of the van. He thought Ren was going to sit with him. Ren looked at Twitty, then at Tawny. Tawny needed her right now. There was no doubt that she needed to talk to Twitty, too, but Tawny looked miserable. Ren went and sat beside Tawny. Twitty looked hurt. He shut the van door and strapped himself in.
"What's up, Tawny?" asked Ren.
"It's Louis," she said looking down at her shoes.
"What's wrong with Louis?"
"He and I were talking and he said he loved me."
"Oh my God, Tawny, that's great! He's rarely even said he loved me!" She hugged Tawny tightly, tears forming in her eyes.
"That's not it, Ren. The thing is, I'm in love with him."
"Tawny, really, this is amazing."
"Ren, you're not hearing me. Yes, I'm in love with Louis. I love him more than I ever thought I could love someone but I've never told anyone that I loved them before. At the airport, he said it to me and I couldn't say it back. I didn't know what was wrong with me. He said it was alright but I know its probably killing him. Ren, what's wrong with me?"
"Tawny. Don't worry, Louis knows how you feel about him. I know he does. Even if you can't say it. It's okay if you're not ready to say it. It's a big thing. Saying I love you isn't as easy as they make it in the movies."
"Okay Tawny, you're up first. Here you go," said Mrs. Stevens stopping the car.
"Thanks, Mrs. Stevens. Thanks, Ren," said Tawny giving Ren a hug. Twitty took this chance to talk to Ren. When Tawny got out, Twitty quickly moved beside Ren.
"Ren, we need to talk," he said abruptly.
"What is it, Twitty?"
"Ren, please, don't act like nothing happened."
"Twitty, we were just swept in the moment. My mom and dad were all mushy and the same goes for Tawny and Louis, that's why we got all mushed."
"Ren, you really think that was it?
"Twitty, please, let's not make a big deal out of this. My mom is right there. She might hear you!"