Chapter 8: "Friendly" Conversations

Honestly, I lied.

I could not get out of bed that fast because of disbelief. I am quite certain that there will be a continuation of that dream. Just like in a story.

Oh, enough of this! I'm getting out of bed.

I was expecting pancakes, but what I ate was rather…unpleasant. I would describe it as a "white-yellowish" abomination. Something that came from the Land of Shadows. Disgusting. I could still taste some in my mouth.

Afterwards, I just remained seated the entire time. "Mother" stood up and kissed me on the cheek before she left the house to go to her office. Then "father" just smiled at me and pinched me on the left cheek and went upstairs.

While I was rubbing my cheek, I heard the doorbell ring from the outside.

Ding dong!

"Julian, would you kindly get the door?"

I groaned and stood up from my chair, and walked towards the door. But before I opened the door, I peered through the peephole to see who the person was? I was actually surprised to see that the person was Theresa!

My my my, what a pleasant surprise…

So I unlocked the door and greeted Theresa. "Hello Theresa."

She just waved at me shyly, and then she giggled a little. "Hi Julian."

"So, what brings you here Theresa?" I asked. She was about to talk when I interrupted her speech.

"Oh, where are my manners?" I said "Please, be my guest."

I opened my door and welcomed her by tipping my hat to her. Theresa just smiled and thanked me. Afterwards, I closed the door and locked it.

Theresa walked ahead of me towards the living area, while I simply followed her just to see how she would say anything about the place. She looked amazed while she walked around the living area.

"Wow Julian, this room brings back so many good memories."

Memories, what does she mean by memories?

"What do you mean by 'good memories', Theresa?" I asked.

She just laughed at my question and then she started to talk about it. "So, you don't remember Julian?"

I just shook my head slowly. Theresa smiled and told me about there "good memories". "Well, my parents and I moved to Norrisville when I was 5. During that time, my parents were looking for an interior designer on the phone book since they're not really experts on house design. So, they happen to find you mom's office number. They called it and the pen everything started. My parents actually brought me with them to meet with your mom."

She stopped talking for a while and just looked at me. I started thinking of what to say to her just to cover my apparent "lack of knowledge" on this story.

"Pardon me, but how did we exactly meet?" I asked.

"Oh, um, I was waiting at living room when suddenly you just came out of nowhere. I was kinda freaked out first. Then again, you seemed to remove the fright when you smiled and asked for my name. I told you my name and you said yours. And that" was how I met you."

She pointed her finger towards me and poked me in my right shoulder. Then she just giggled a little afterwards, while I just smiled back.

"You kept on telling me before that you were a bat. I would always laugh every time you said that. And then we would always play hide and seek, where you once surprised me by hanging upside-down in one of your parents' cabinets."

I felt like as if my brain froze from all the things I have been hearing from Theresa. However, I must stay calm as possible. I must pretend as if I remembered anything Theresa said.

"Oh yes," I said "Those were wonderful memories."

We both laughed until our laughter slowly faded into softer sounds. And everything went a little silent.

Tension was beginning to build up after that conversation. I must start talking about another topic without making the ambiance too awkward for the both of us.

"So, we were friends ever since we were children?" I asked.

She smiled and nodded her head twice. "Yup."

I let out a soft laugh and went a little closer to her. "And we might have went to the same school, am I right?"

She giggled a little and looked at me once more. "Oh Julian, you kinda forgot about that. Yes, we did go to same kindergarten too."

Hmm, good thinking Julian… I thought.

"Shall we sit down?" I asked.

"Um, sure." Then we sat down at nearest sofa.

We just sat there and stared at each other for a short while. The silence was getting uncomfortable, I am beginning to think Theresa is contemplating about leaving.

No! This is not going to happen again! I will not allow this opportunity to slip, just like what happened in my dream!

Theresa was just staring at the open space, leaving her a little distracted. Now's my chance…

Her eyes was still fixed on the open space, but I felt like she was going to turn her head. "So Julian, are we gonna talk ab-"

I raised my hand and started slowly caressing her soft hair. Theresa started looking nervous and confused. "Julian, what are you doing?"

My hand then rested on her left cheek. "Before I could answer your question, please close your eyes first."

"Why?" She asked.

"Do you trust me, Theresa?"

She sighed and looked at me. "Yes, I trust you."

"Then, close your eyes."

She closed her eyes and sighed once more. I smiled and went a little closer to her. "Good."

I kissed her on the lips. For the second time. But this time, it felt better than the first time I kissed her.