CHAPTER 3
"Look Rachel, your boyfriend!" says Mindy between giggles. I twist my neck towards where she is pointing, expecting to find Chip but guess who was there instead? Yes HIM.
"HA-HA very funny" I say as I return to my plate and send her an evil stare. However, I cannot help but observe him from the corner of my eyes. I haven't seen him in two weeks, since my unfortunate dream haunted me…God, I still get so embarrassed whenever I think of it. The only thought of me having sex with Monica's brother makes my stomach turn.
"How was it?"
"How was what?"
"kissing a geek, how was it?" I hold air in my throat for a second to seize my temper and not make a scene in the middle of the crowded cantina.
"amazing" I say sarcastically.
"have you told Chip that you kissed the geek guy of the school?" she asks with a grin on her face that makes me sick.
"will you quit already? It was part of a game, have your tiny neurones forgotten that?"
"but Ray-Ray? What's with all the edginess lately? We are kidding hun, you take everything too seriously" I roll my eyes annoyed, her pitied tone of voice couldn't sound faker. Why Am I friends with these people?
"Well, it stops being funny when you've repeated the same joke dozens of times"
"don't get angry girl, we'll stop alright?" Mindy says as if I was the one to blame for all this.
"thank you" geez It's the first time I say those two words without actually meaning them.
"girls, Shall we go to the field?" I heard Ashley say.
"yes! It's hotties time" the other two say at unison.
"wait, wait, wait! I'm not finished yet"
"but Ray-Ray, if we wait for you we are going to miss seeing the guys stretching…" says Ashley and then Mindy.
"I don't want to sound harsh but Ray-Ray, you take forever to eat even the smallest meal…I hope you understand we are leaving you for a bigger deal you know. Join us when you're done, alright hun?"
"you should sit with your boyfriend and eat together" Ashley adds before they move away from our table, laughing like a drain. I have strong desires to throw my fork and every pointy thing at them, but I don't. I stay calm as the behaved girl I am and return my gaze to my plate. What if I eat slowly anyway? There is nothing wrong with that, is there? I hope those bitches choke on their food one day!
My head unconsciously turns to look at him and I observe him as discretely as possible; He is sitting alone at a table close to the window. His head is resting on his left hand while his other hand holds a spoon that he hasn't brought to his mouth in the time I've been watching him. I wonder what he is thinking so concentrated, what could be in his mind right in this moment. Dinosaurs? Maybe he is imagining a fight between a T-rex and another…something-saurus. Or maybe he is thinking about me… Should I go talk to him?
I turn back to my plate and then take a quick scan of the room, trying to spot someone I may know but there seems to be no one. What if my stupid friends return and see me there with him?...oh what the hell! I miss "my addiction".
I pick up my tray and make my way towards his table. He doesn't notice me until I'm sitting right across him.
"Rachel!" he says in a small jump of surprise.
"Hi!" I say with a broad smile "you don't mind if I sit here, right?" my question leaves him utterly surprised. I like that.
"no, no. y-you can take th-the seat" definitely this is not the Ross of my dream. Phew.
"hey, Do you know where Monica is? I haven't seen her all day" I ask him to try to break the ice because of course I know Monica is sick and she is not here because of that, She called me last night to tell me so.
"she is sick, she h-had high fever this morning…I thought she had called you" oops.
"really? She must have talked to either of my sisters then, they seem to have problems when it comes to delivering messages" I see him smile shyly at my comment. Aw. He looks like a cute harmless puppy.
"listen" I say as I reach for his hand; when I touch him he startles a little at the same time that his eyes open widely as though they were about to pop out. I smile in my head; I've never felt more powerful in my life. "I'm organizing a big party at my house this weekend to celebrate my 17th birthday. Would you like to come?" he is completely taken aback by my question; and so am I, why did I just invite him? Why couldn't I have just said something else? Damn subconscious! Always playing tricks on me.
"ar-are you serious?" he asks once he overcomes his previous shock. I cannot say "no" now. It would make this situation awkward. More than it already is.
"of course!" oh my god, Chip will be there, my bitchy friends will be there as well…I see how his eyes lights up as If he had just found the most beautiful louboutins shoes…wait no! that would be weird…well, something like that but in men. "so?"
"I-I'll think about it…but thanks for the invitation Rach" how adorable is he? If only he weren't such a big geek.
"well I have to go, I've got cheerleading practice in half an hour so…Saturday, 8pm my house. Hope to see you there" I say adding a sexy wink that doesn't go unnoticed by him.
"s-sure"
"bye then…and tell Monica to take care"
…..
"Honey, I think I'm gonna head home" I say, fed up with the long poker afternoon in which I cannot take part of for being too "girly"
"what, why?" my "attentive" boyfriend asks without taking his eyes off his cards.
"because I need a rest from all the fun I'm having here, you know"
"oh, okay, whatever you want" I roll my eyes debating whether to believe he is too stupid to catch the irony or that he was simply not listening to a word I said.
"Will you at least walk me to the door, please?" I say, not making any effort to hide the irritation I'm feeling at this moment.
"just a sec, let me finish this game first" I release a sigh of pure frustration as I sit back on the couch and wish for time to go faster, but the stronger I wish it the slower it passes. Why can't my boyfriend be more considerate and caring? I hate being the doll he carries around and leaves at the nearest couch when he has gotten tired of showing it off. I deserve someone better! I really do.
I cannot deny I love being the girlfriend of the hottest guy in high school and being the envy of every single girl but that does not compensate this feeling of emptiness that sometimes strikes me. I have a much more fulfilling relationship with my dog for god's sake!
A loud bang on the table tears me out of my thoughts and I see Chip's angry face. He should give up playing this game, he always loses.
"let's go Rach" he says as he grabs my wrist and pulls me out the couch. Way to be delicate.
Once we reach the door he turns into the sweet guy I fell for; he wraps his hands around my waist and makes my knees go weak with an ardent kiss I was yearning for all day.
"What don't you come with me to my house?" I whisper between our lips. He pulls away and I instantly know he is going to decline my suggestion.
"but Rach, I'm losing I can't let them get away with it, I need to win my money back"
"Chip, you suck at poker, when are you gonna accept that"
"I don't suck! I had bad luck this time, that's all"
"whatever, I have to go…" I say gazing at my watch with a straight face but he doesn't seem to get the hint.
"do you want me to give you drive?"
" nah, that's alright, you apparently have better things to do…see you at my bday party tomorrow"
"okay then" as I expected he didn't even insists the slightest bit.
"bye" I say as I give him a small peck. I'm certainly not in the mood for something else.
He says bye to me and immediately disappears inside the house. I set off my way to my house, with huge desires to punch someone. Why do I have to fall for guys that don't give a damn?
…
"Mon thank you so much for helping me with this, I had no idea Mrs Kate's was on vacation this weekend" I tell her as we observed the crowded yard, perfectly decorated as only Monica knew how.
"don't worry honey, you know organizing parties is like being in a theme park for me" I hug her tightly with a big smile on my face. She is always my saviour. "you look beautiful by the way"
"so do you"
"and just so you know I'm borrowing those shoes, they are gorgeous!"
"I know! They are killing my toes but look at them! Totally worth the pain" we both share a laugh.
"Rach, this party is amaaaaaaaaaaaazing" Mindy interrupts us yelling like a mad person. She passed an arm over my shoulders. She seems to be suspiciously happy.
"Mindy are you drinking alcohol?"
"shhhh, my older brother got me some bottles, do you want some?" she says as she takes a hipflask out of the inside pocket of her jacket.
"oh my god Mindy! You better hide that well, my father is upstairs and he'll kill me if he finds out we have alcohol here!"
"chill out Rach, None will knowww, here have some" she says as she pours some liquid in my coke. I immediately force her to hide the bottle as I make sure my father is not around. This girl is going to get me into big trouble one day!
"hey Rach! ready for your birthday present?" says Chip walking towards me.
"of course!" I say in a little jump of excitement "Mon watch this bitch please" I whisper to Mon before Chips grabs my hand and leads me inside the house and into the living room. I clap my hands when I see the big package.
"Happy Birthday" he says as he hands it to me. I quickly rip off the paper covering a quite large square box and my excitement fades right away.
"what's this?"
"a video game!" he said as if it was the most amazing thing in the world.
"so this is a present for yourself"
"no it's for you! But you'll let me play right?" I give him a look of disbelief.
"you know what? Keep it in your house; you'll make better use of it than me"
"really? Thank you Rach!" he says kissing my lips eagerly. My mouth is invaded with the smell of pure alcohol that comes out of his mouth.
"geez Chip! Have you swallowed an alcoholic?" I exclaim as I pull away disgusted.
"your friend Mindy brought some bottles of vodka, she's cool" I roll my eyes annoyed.
"you'd better behave if my father shows up, he'll kick you out of the house if he discovers you're drunk"
"don't worry sweetie" he says grabbing my ass and bringing me closer for another kiss. The doorbell gets in the way of our make out session.
"Honey, I- I have to get the door" I murmur trying to escape form his invasive lips.
"let someone else get it" he says whining and tightening his grip around me.
"Chip, it's MY house; go to the yard, I'll be right back okay?" I give him a small peck and head towards the door.
My whole body freezes when I open the door and find him there. I had completely forgotten I had invited him.
"oh Hi Ross! I thought you weren't coming anymore…" this is so awkward. If anybody sees him here the things they will say! Oh god.
"H-hi" he says shyly. I meet his eyes with a smile but he moves them away from me every few seconds, as though keeping eye contact with me was forbidden and something terrible would happen to him if he did. This behaviour of him just makes me want to tease him even more.
"but what are you doing there, come in!" I say motioning my hand with an inviting smile plastered on my lips, not knowing what else to do.
"that's alright, I-I'm just stopping by to…to wish you a happy birthday. I'm leaving right away" wow! He is getting better at delivering full sentences to me!
"Oh don't be silly! Come in, I'll get you something to drink" I say as I grab his hand and bring him inside the house. I'm taking the risk of being seen with him, however, something inside me truly wants him to stay.
"I-I'd rather wait for you here" he says quickly freeing his hand from my touch and trying to hide his obvious nerves. "It's just…your friends don't quite like me so…" he responds to my questioning look.
"Well, let's go to the kitchen then, we've got drinks there too" I warmly say as I grab his hand again, tighter this time so he can't escape, and I quickly guide him to the kitchen. I close the door behind me praying that nobody shows up while we are there. "What would you like to drink?" I ask opening the fridge door and observing from the corner of my eyes how he cannot keep his feet in one place.
"coke would be fine" I grab two cans, one for him and one for myself, and walk back to where he is standing. I lean my body on the counter right in front of him and hand him the can.
"thanks" he murmurs. The room fills with silence as we both take a sip of our cokes; I drink slowly to buy myself some time to think of something that we could talk about and make this unbearable silence disappear.
"y-you look beautiful" he surprises me saying; his face flustered as never before. My stomach instantly fills with a weird sensation I'm not able to describe and I have to look down at my black dress to try to hide the fact that his words have made me blush visibly. I'm beyond used to this kind of compliments and yet his words have sounded so genuine that I felt like it was the first time I'd been called beautiful. What the hell is happening to me?
"thank you" I say with a smile. "so you're graduating this month right?" I had to change the topic, I don't know why but I'm feeling extra vulnerable today that I cannot even think of a way to tease him.
"yes, I'm so looking forward to it"
"why? Aren't you going to miss High School life?"
"not really…being the geeky guy of High School is not as much fun as you may think" he says nonchalantly and I cannot help but let out a soft chuckle. The fact that he is not bothered by the label people gave him makes him even cuter. "Monica told me you two are going to a camp in California this summer"
"yes! I'm very excited about it, It's the first time my father allows me to go on a trip with my best friend, so I already know I'm going to enjoy it to the fullest, you going somewhere?"
"Science camp" he says "surprising uh?" my smile makes him smile; he has perfect white teeth, I love that. "How is the party, by the way?" he breaks the not-so-uncomfortable silence. I'm amazed at how he's being able to hold a conversation with me for longer than five minutes without rushing out of the room.
"it's alright, too big a party for my taste, but that's how the head cheerleader is supposed to celebrate her bday, isn't it?"
"No, if she doesn't like it. One must enjoy life according to their wishes, not the way people tell them to" I'm mesmerized by his words. Maybe he is right and I should break through stereotypes and start living my life the way I want.
"I guess you are right…"
(….)
"I think I'm going to take off" he says a little after.
"why?" to my own surprise I don't want him to leave yet, I'm actually having fun with him. Who would have said!
"I've things to do, but first, I've got a present to give you" he says taking a small rectangular box out of his pocket. My mouth opens in surprise.
"what, why?"
"well, it's your birthday if I'm not mistaken"
"yes, yes it is" I say in a chuckle, feeling stupid. "but you really didn't need to..."
"Happy Birthday" he says with the sweetest smile and handing me the small box. I meet his eyes for a second before holding the box. I feel like I'm discovering a whole new Ross today, a really charming one. I rip off the wrapping paper and slowly open the blue box. My jaw instantly falls to the floor when I find the most beautiful necklace inside of it; a small silver heart with a tiny sky blue diamond in the middle.
"Oh my god, Ross!" I'm speechless to say the least and my eyes inevitably well up. He is too sweet; why can't my boyfriend be like him?
"do you like it?"
"if I like it? I LOVE it! This necklace is gorgeous! It must have cost you a fortune!" he shrugs his shoulders helplessly.
"The birthday girl deserves it" I bit my bottom lip as my heart starts racing out of control. That sensation I felt in my stomach before increases to a point I cannot control it anymore and on impulse I place my free hand on his neck and bring him down to my lips, kissing him with all the lust I'm feeling inside. He is stunned at first, I feel it in his tenseness but soon enough his lips begin to respond to my kiss, making my body shiver in pleasure, a pleasure I think I haven't felt before. I leave the box on the counter, still lip locked with him, and bring my other hand to his neck to pull him closer and deepen this amazing kiss. This is definitely not a dream, this is very real and I'm grateful for that. Right in this moment I don't care if I'm kissing the geeky guy, I don't care if my boyfriend is right outside or if my stupid friends find out, this feels too good to stop now. He shyly places his hands on both sides of my waist; a simple gesture but that sends pleasant tickles up and down my body. I'm breathless, my blood is boiling and my head is spinning. But to my disappointment, a knock on the door drags me out of this dreamy moment, so suddenly that it feels as if I had been thrown off a plane without parachute. My eyes widen when I realise someone is outside the kitchen door.
"oh shit!" I say pulling away from him "hide under the table" I whisper as I run out of the kitchen. I bring my hands to my mouth when I find Monica leaning on a wall out in the corridor, her eyes frozen as if she had seen a ghost. This cannot be happening; she cannot have seen us…but her astonished look tell me otherwise. I grab her hand and pull her inside my dad's office.
"Monica, please don't jump into conclusions" I try to control my trembling voice but it's too hard.
"w-what the hell was my brother doing in your kitchen AND kissing you?" she says once she has overcome the shock but she is still freaked out. I don't blame her.
"h-he just…stopped by…to wish me a happy birthday…that's all"
"do you think I'll believe that? I know my brother Rach; he is not the kind of guy who goes to these parties, let alone if he hasn't been invited" I cast my gaze down, not knowing what to say, I've been caught, and now I don't have any other choice but admit the truth.
"I kinda invited him"
"what? Seriously Rach, what's going on? Do you like my brother?"
"no, no, no, no no! of course no"
"then why did you invite him and KISSED him?" she says placing her hands on her hips and giving me a threatening look.
"oh god…okay, let me explain this but please don't get mad"
"start talking" she said with a straight face.
"okay…I do not like your brother, I was just enjoying myself a little…I know he has a crush on me and…well let's say I love how nervous and clumsy he gets when I talk to him and all that and I kinda got "addicted" to teasing him…please don't hate me" I see her shake her head from side to side with a hateful look on her eyes.
"how can you be so heartless Rach? He may be geek but he has feelings too, I can't believe you, I really can't" I know she is furious. I'm so stupid! I quickly grab her hand to make her look at me, my eyes filling with tears of regret.
"I'm so sorry Mon, please don't hate me, I-I simply wasn't thinking, I guess my situation with Chip led me to do this, but I promise you I won't do that ever again."
"that is not a reason to play with my brother's feelings like that, you're crueller than I though"
"I know I know, and I'm sorry, I shouldn't have played with your brother's feelings, I'm aware of that but please forgive me" I try to apologize, but I've never been good at this.
"you really promise you won't do that ever again…?" she says a bit calmer.
"I won't! really"
"you should go and apologize to him then, I'm gonna let you go back there and talk to him yourself, I don't want him to know I've seen you two kissing because I know he'd be embarrassed for life. Please tell him something, whatever, but not the teasing thing because you'll break his heart."
"okay okay, I'll figure something out, Thank you Mon for understanding" I say as I hug her tightly. Thank god she is such an understanding person.
Now What do I tell him? oy.
…..
Thanks for reading, thoughts?