Chapter 9: Complicated

Zeke enrolled back in school once winter break was over. He missed the wrestling team sign-ups, which bothered him, but he was glad to have the opportunity to pick up where he left off in school. He vowed to try harder in school and maybe get a full-ride so he would have an easier time getting into and paying for college. Tina, on the other hand, was doing rather well in school. Well, with the exception of math. She developed a deep passion for writing that went beyond erotic friend fictions. She wanted a career in journalism. She was looking at, and was being looked at by schools with strong writing and journalism programs that weren't too far from home and were reasonably priced.

The two of them still weren't an item. They got along very well, but they sometimes had awkward encounters and put themselves in sticky situations. Tina knew Zeke wanted a relationship. She did too, but she was nervous. It's not that she couldn't trust him, but she was worried he'd leave again. There was one incident in particular that almost obliterated their chances of being together again as well as their friendship.

Tina and Gene were at Tina's locker after school and conversed before they went home. "Well, I think today's the day." Tina said as she put her textbooks in her locker.

"For what? Dish, girl." Gene said.

"I'm going to tell Zeke I'm ready to have a relationship again," she said hopefully as she picked up her backpack, "I think it's a good time to."

Gene's gaze turned to Zeke, who was across the hall chatting it up with another girl, Cindy Parker, a sophomore. He was being friendly, almost too friendly. The girl was leaning up against the locker and Zeke propped himself up with his arm, which was fairly close to her. She playfully touched his arms and poked at his chest and he would occasionally lean forward. This made Gene's blood boil. You didn't mess with or disrespect the Belcher siblings. "Uh, Tin," he said as he tried to keep his composure, "you might want to take a look at that." He said as he pointed at them. Tina saw what Gene was seeing and a storm brewed up inside her. She didn't say a word. She slammed her locker shut and stormed out of the school, knocking over a couple freshmen along the way.

Gene saw Zeke walk over to him and took a deep breath. "Hey, Gene," he said nonchalantly, "where's Tina? We were gonna walk back together."

"She saw what you were doing over there with Cindy Parker. She went home."

Zeke's face turned red. "Wait, are you serious?" He asked.

Gene nodded. "She was going to tell you she was ready to try again today," he said with a scowl, "but now, I don't know if she wants to. And honestly, after that display I wouldn't want her to, either." Gene was always very upfront with Zeke. He wasn't afraid of him, but he could see the pain in his face after he told him that.

"What am I supposed to do?" Zeke asked nervously.

Gene shrugged. "Go find her and talk to her," he said as he picked up his backpack, "and do it before she tells Louise. Tina will get over it, but Louise isn't so forgiving when you mess with one of her siblings. She'll make your life a living hell."

Zeke wasn't afraid of Louise, but was afraid that he blew his chances with Tina. He had a weak moment. In his mind he was still a single guy and could flirt and talk to anyone he wanted. He forgot that this was a test to see if Tina was ready to let him back in and he blew it. "Shit, I gotta go make this right."

Zeke caught up to Tina who was still walking home. He could tell she was furious by her body language and how fast she was walking. "Tina," he shouted as he caught up to her, "I thought we were gonna walk back together." He said as he panted.

Tina stopped abruptly and turned around. "Then why didn't you just walk back with Cindy fucking Parker!?" The silence between them was deafening. Zeke had never made Tina that angry before. "Do you realize how much I've had to put aside just so I can give you another chance? I've been so worried that you'd leave again that I didn't want to rush into anything. But now it's okay to disrespect me with another girl? Are you serious?" Her voice was loud and shaky.

"Tina, with all do respect I'm a single guy. I didn't know this would upset you so much since we're not even together yet." He knew with every word he said he was digging himself deeper into a hole.

"Well, then maybe… maybe you should stay single." She sighed.

"Tina, I'm sorry," he said quietly. "Please don't say that. I know you too well to know you don't mean it. Please give me another chance. I screwed up, but I'm going to prove to you that I'll only have eyes for you. I was weak today, but she can't compare to you." The two of them were silent for awhile. Tina stared down at her feet and Zeke played with his hands. Tina was thinking about whether or not it was a good idea to continue with their friendship or potential relationship. "Can you ever forgive me?" Zeke asked to break the silence.

"I guess so," Tina said quietly, "but because of this I want to wait a little longer. I want to feel like I can trust you. Until you show me I can trust you again, promise me you won't do anything like that again. I won't be as forgiving next time."

Zeke breathed a sigh of relief. "Thanks, T-Bird. I promise I'll make it right." Tina knew he would keep his word, but she still wasn't happy with him or what he did that day. She is rather forgiving, but she wasn't sure if she could forgive that so quickly. She understood where he was coming from, though. She did go on a few dates with Jimmy Jr. when they weren't together. Regardless, she felt hurt, even though it was just flirting.