CHAPTER 17 (GOODBYE)
I froze as I saw Kelley beside me.
Holy… Fudge… Harpies.
Kelley… The Abominable Snowman in my life; the Bigfoot; the vicious Loch Ness Monster; and certainly the Hitler in my own life.
Why did that creature have to come here??? WHY???? WHY???? WHY????
"So here you are. Again. What a loser," she rolled her eyes.
Suddenly, a playful tune began to play, and I could guess that it was the theme song of the ride. "Hello and good afternoon! All aboard the Blizzard! Where we let you feel what it's like to go through a vicious storm and come out of it alive in a fun way!"
Somehow that just didn't sound right…
"Please put on your seatbelts and get ready for the most exciting three minutes of your life!"
I put on my seatbelt. Calm down. Calm down. Calm down. Think out of this… Just go on with the ride… Kelley will be no problem.
Suddenly, somebody unbuckled my seatbelt. I turned and found out it was Kelley. She had a smirk on her face.
She stuck her tongue out. "I hope you fall down."
"Miss! Do not unbuckle the seatbelt of other people! You could hurt them!" a guy managing the ride reprimanded her. His face seemed red, and I could tell that he certainly didn't want any accidents. Not on his watch.
Kelley gulped and turned a deep shade of scarlet. Like period.
Eew. Maybe not that red… or icky…
"But… Um…" she said, apparently trying and failing to come up with a plausible explanation.
"Shush! Now think about what you did. This little lass might've been hurt! And who will they blame?" he said and waited for Kelley to give an answer that might satisfy the guy.
I like this man. It's sweet of him to torture people I hate. Aah. Picture-perfect moment. Now where was a video cam when I needed it?
I was smiling and Kelley was slowly getting more humiliated by the second as people stared at her. Like a criminal.
I like this.
"Me?" Kelley answered, and her trembling voice was the sweetest music.
I know I'm kind of evil, but I am sooo getting her back now! Feel the guy's wrath!
"No!" the guy barked back at her and she turned redder. "Me of course! I'm managing the bloody ride! Now you stop doing that or else I will ban you from this ride!"
Kelley nodded, and I could swear that I saw her lower lip tremble.
The nice man approached me. "Are you okay lass?"
I nodded. "Thanks. She really was being mean. I could've died."
Kelley shot daggers at me. But hey, I didn't give a fudge.
He nodded. "Well, if she bothers you anymore, call me. I'll fix her up."
Then he shot a menacing glance at Kelley and she scowled.
Hahahahahhaahahaha! That's what you geeettttt!!!!!!!!! It's on like Donkey Kong!!
"Thank you," I said and nodded, looking grateful (and smug of course). Kelley was in a terrible mood, like she could tear me limb from limb.
"I'll get you for this someday," she said, her teeth clenched.
I stuck my tongue out. I had, after all, triumphed. "Like yeah you will."
The ride finally began to start. I took a deep breath. Here it goes. Kelley didn't face me. I knew she couldn't stomach the sight of me.
And that somehow made me feel happy.
The ride began to go upwards, and the noise of the tracks filled my ears. We were slowly escalating, and I could feel excitement choking me. I looked down, the ground seemed so distant, and the people were like insects.
Here it…
"AAAHHHH!!!!" I screamed before I could finish the sentence in my head. The ride had propelled downwards at an incredible speed, and I felt like my organs were getting jumbled inside of me. I saw (to my delight) that Kelley was screaming madly, like a banshee.
Finally the ride ended after three minutes of twists, loops and unexpected accelerations. Kelley looked absolutely sick. As soon as we arrived at the start, she detached herself from her seatbelt and ran for the nearest rest room. Deep inside, I was cackling.
I know. Evil, right? But hey, she's getting what she deserves.
I hopped off the ride and began going back to the place where I and Gian were supposed to meet up. He was standing there, looking around, most likely for me. He looked stunning, to be honest. His hair gleamed in the sun and his skin seemed like a celebrity's.
But…
Aaah. I have no idea why I don't like him. He's just not my type…
I don't fall for…
Gorgeous guys with gorgeous faces and gorgeous eyes and gorgeous teeth.
Aaaack! What's wrong with me?
I sighed. Ah well. There was one obvious answer:
Nate.
Gian smiled at me, and I felt like slapping myself for not even having a crush on him. "Hey. I was getting worried. I missed you."
That line should've melted my heart, but it didn't. I didn't even feel a small tingle of excitement jolt through my body.
Nothing. Nada. Zero. Zilch.
I smiled at him, so as not to offend him. "Oh. Cool."
He handed me an ice cream, and I felt bad. Jeez. What if I really do break his heart? Poor guy. I feel like the bad guy.
"I bought this for you," he said and handed me a strawberry-flavored ice cream. I licked it, and the taste was absolutely scrumptious.
"Thanks," I replied.
All of a sudden, he held my hand. "Let's walk home."
PEANUT BUTTER FUDGE OF ALL CRAYOLA HARPIES!!!!
The most popular guy in school is actually holding my hand!!! Oh my gosh!!!! And I feel…
Nothing.
No spark. No anything.
Am I really weird? Shouldn't this be a perfect moment for any girl?
'It would've been perfect if it were Nate', my brain unexpectedly supplied.
I could imagine Nate here beside me, holding my hand and giving me ice cream. Just the thought of it made me smile. And I did.
"You enjoying yourself?" he asked me as he noticed my smile.
Oops. He thinks I'm smiling because he held my hand.
Ah well. I wouldn't want to disappoint him. I'll play along for a while.
"Yup," I grinned.
He grinned. "I've never been this nervous around a girl before. You seem different, and you haven't even tried to kiss me…"
Would you like me to???? Jeez. He thinks every girl wants to kiss him! Well… Probably a lot, but not all. Look at me. I certainly don't want to kiss him.
"Oh. Cool, I guess?" I said and laughed nervously.
Peanut fudge. This is getting awkward!
"Would you mind if I…?" he said but stopped. He began to lean forward and touch my hands gently.
OH FUDGE CRAYOLA ICE CREAM!!!!! No!!!! No!!!! Not now!!!! No!!!!!
I was panicking inside; my brain cells were desperately running amok in different directions. I felt the molecules inside my body scramble and my atoms jumble.
What do I do???? What do I do????? What do I fudging do?????
Before I could think, before I could let my brain do what it's supposed to do, before I could think of a logical solution, I threw my ice cream at his face.
He stopped and slowly began wiping his face clean.
I gasped.
FUDGE. WHAT THE PEANUTBUTTER DID I DO THAT FOR???
I could only stare at him, and at the ice cream dripping to the floor in a pool of pink melted ice cream.
"I'm sorry… I… I…" I stammered.
Finally, he had wiped all of the mess from his face. His handkerchief was caked with the mess and I felt like evaporating into the air. Please, please someone take me away from here.
Someone, whisk me away from here.
But of course, it's not like I'm the auteur of my life.
Instead of frowning or even getting mad, like I expected him to, he laughed. "Sorry. Of course. I must've frightened you. I'm sorry. I forget that I make girls nervous. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that."
Nervous? Hah. You didn't make me nervous; you scared the helium gas out of me! Jeez. His head is so inflated.
"Well, shall we walk home then?" he said and offered his hand once more.
I seriously wanted to chew it off, but I managed to control my raging anger inside.
"Yes. I'd. Like. To," I said through clenched teeth.
All throughout the walk, I seriously controlled my urge to strangle him.
And that was HARD.
"Milk flakes! Milk flakes!" I said as I called my dog.
Her bell jingled from her collar, making a light, tinkling sound. Her beady eyes gleamed and her black nose twitched. Her white hair was long now, reaching to her small legs. She walked towards me.
I laughed and hugged her in my arms. Her soft fur brushed against my shirt and her cold nose was pressed near my neck.
I loved Milk flakes. I've had her for about three years now. She's a shih tzu and very small. I could place her inside my bag.
We were outside our house, sitting on the pavement. The sun was shining brightly and I had to constantly shield my eyes from it. But today seemed like a good day.
"Hey there," a familiar voice said and I froze.
Nebula clouds! He's here!
I swiveled around and saw Nate grinning at me. He was wearing a green hoodie and jeans. He sat beside me. I didn't say anything. He grinned as he stroked Milk flakes' fur.
"She's very cute," he said and Milk flakes licked his hand.
Funny. She usually doesn't like strangers.
"You like dogs?" I asked him.
"Love them, really," he replied.
Suddenly, Milk flakes began to struggle.
"Oh fine. Go," I said and released her. She trotted away, looking happy to be free from me.
"So, how's Gian?" Nate asked.
I turned scarlet, and a sudden rush of anger filled my body as I recalled yesterday. Three words: WORST DAY EVER.
"He's not my boyfriend, he just pulled me. And I don't know why…" I said, feeling glum. Jeez. How will I get him off my back??
"Oh. Good. I'd be angry if he hurt you," he said unexpectedly as he looked up at the sky; and a good thing too since I turned redder.
"Er… Thanks…"
"I missed you, you know. Haha. Maybe we should go out again sometime."
Nate… Is asking me out… On a date!!!!!
I felt like screaming and dancing in the streets.
OH MY GOSH!!!
"If your boyfriend doesn't mind," he chuckled.
I rolled my eyes. "He's not my boyfriend. Sure. I'd love to."
He smiled. "Cool."
Aaah. My day today is so perfect! And all because of Nate! So cool! I need to hug Milk flakes!!
Wait a second… Where is she?
I looked around. She wasn't in the garden, near the door or even here with me. I know that I let her go…
"Milk flakes!" Nate suddenly yelled.
I looked at the road and Milk flakes was sitting there. I began to scream.
"Milk flakes!! Come back!!!" I said, feeling panic building inside me.
All of a sudden, the most horrid thing happened. For three seconds, I could only stare in horror as a car zoomed past us and crush Milk flakes. I heard a yelp of pain and the car was soon a blur.
No.
I ran towards the road. "Milk flakes!!"
Her body lay still, and she looked like she was slowly dying. Tears started to spill out of my eyes as I held her body. She cried and I started to bawl.
"Milk flakes… Milk flakes…" I said and began rushing to the pavement to Nate.
I lay her body on the grass. She was barely breathing. Her body was crushed badly.
"Norah… She's dying…" Nate said and he looked miserable.
No… Milk flakes will live… She can't leave me. She just can't…
But I knew that that wasn't true. Slowly, her tiny body was giving away. I picked her up once more and held her gently. She licked my nose and finally closed her black eyes; her black eyes that I know would never open and twinkle. Finally, she stopped breathing.
I cried and it felt like the tears would never stop. I could've cried an ocean.
Goodbye Milk flakes…
Nate shuffled towards me and hugged me, understanding how I felt.
I never thought I'd say goodbye to Milk flakes so soon.