When we're just out of sight of the herd, Peaches puts me down and helps me, partially, clear my face. I can only hope I don't look as bad as I'm imagining. We walk to them; I try to walk as slow as possible to gain a few more moments alone with Peaches.
I've no idea how Peaches' father will react to us emerging from the forest early in the morning, but I also can't think of a single thing we could have been doing that Manny could find wrong. Unless he has some sort of intense hatred for crying or hugging, I don't think he'll have much to be angry about. I realize I was doing both the crying and the hugging, so he really doesn't have a reason to be angry with Peaches.
But enough about Manny! I look over at Peaches; she's smiling her beautiful smile, walking without a care in the world. I feel my heart beat start to hasten, and my palms feel moist. Should I tell her now? Diego seems to think it's a good idea; then again, he did just try to eat me. I decide that now probably isn't the best time. I don't want to risk spoiling her good mood, and we're too close to the herd for it not to be immediately discovered by everyone else.
We approach the herd. Manny, of course, jumps upon us with a tidal wave of questions.
"Where were you? Why did you leave? What were you thinking?" And so on he rambles. I almost hope he doesn't actually want an answer to these questions; I think his colorful imagination can come up with ten times the stories we could. Still he continues questioning us, not even taking a breathe between one so we can attempt to answer. He starts to repeat questions now, asking them a little louder and angrier than before. To tell you the truth, I find all of this a bit overwhelming and fear inducing. The rest of the herd seems to agree with me; I see them slowly sneaking back, attempting to escape Manny's rage. Then, he glares down at me.
"Peaches?!" He practically screams, "What were you doing with wiener!?" Uh... okay... I'm not sure what he thinks we could have been doing. I feel my face turn red, and I take a step back. Suddenly, Peaches turns bold; she moves forward, putting her foot in front of me protectively.
"Don't call him that!" She shrieks, tears forming under her eyes. "We all know he hates it when you guys call him that, so stop it!" Sobbing, she lifts me to her head and storms off. I hear Manny being confronted by the rest of the herd. Why was he so angry? I'm so confused; so much just happened so fast. Peaches is still running, tears streaking down her face. I can't stand to see her so upset.
"Peaches!" I shout, trying to get her attention. Peaches continues running; I can hear her panting though.
"Peaches, please! Slow down! You're scaring me!" At that last one she stops. I swear I can hear her heart racing, and she sways around, huffing with anger and exhaustion.
I slide down Peaches' trunk and, trying to keep myself from crying too, I say, "It's okay, Peaches. Calm down; let's go find something to eat to keep your mind off this." She nods slowly, failing to repair the dam of tears that has burst behind her eyes. I move to her and put my arm around he trunk, lovingly leading her in the direction of the little melon patch near the teens' hangout or whatever we're supposed to call it.
We're sitting on a fallen tree, eating a melon that I had just broken in half with a rock. I can hear Peaches sniffling; it breaks my heart to see her so sad. What can I do to make her happy, make her smile? I look around; there's a patch of big, orange flowers a few feet away. I slide down, walk over, and pluck one of the colorful flowers from the patch. Peaches is looking down at her melon solemnly, transfixed by it; I stick the flower in her hair behind her ear. It sits, gleaming in the sunlight. She tilts her head up, slowly revealing her puffy eyes and her tear mucked face, but I've never thought she was more beautiful than she is right now. I feel a smile grow across my face.
"Peaches... your're more beautiful than any flower I've ever seen." I practically whisper. She grins a little, and I don't want to stop. I continue, "You're lovely. You're kind. Thank you so much for standing up for me... I'm... I'm so sorry your dad is angry with you. I wish I could make it better; you didn't do anything wrong..." I find myself scratching the back of my head bashfully. I want so bad to tell her how I feel. Should I tell her? The only thing I want more than that is for her to be happy. I truly wish I could make it all better.
"You're so sweet, Louis. Thanks for trying to make me feel better." She puts down her melon and looks at me with her luminous eyes. She's smiling softly, but her face still seems a little sad.
"Peaches?" I say, willing myself to tell her. I scratch the side of my arm shyly and try to keep my eyes looking into hers.
"Yes?" She responds, keeping eye contact too. Louis, you have to tell her, right now! Do it!
"Peaches, I... I..." I realize I haven't been breathing this whole time and take a big gulp of air in before starting again. "Want you to know- I..."
Suddenly a voice interrupts, "Peaches!?" Are you kidding me? Manny comes charging up through the forest. He grabs Peaches and hugs her, telling her how sorry he is for not trusting her and such. I'm happy that he's not mad at her, but, yet again, I still haven't told her. Peaches breaks free from her dad for a few seconds and tries to figure out what I was saying, but Manny is right there. I can't tell her now, so I replace it with another "you're so pretty" and hope she buys it again. Though I don't think she actually does buy it, she doesn't question it when she remembers that her father is right next to her.
"You guys go have a good time; I love you Peaches!" Manny says while shooting me an 'I know what you're up to; don't even think about it' glance.
"I love you too." Peaches says, embarrassed about having to say it in front of me. I find it funny. In fact, I wouldn't mind in the least if she said it a lot more around me, or to me for that matter... I feel a little selfish now, but I guess I really just wanted to rebel against Manny, at least in my head. Peaches looks at me and says, "Let's go see Ethan."
The way she said "Ethan" makes me cringe internally. I smile and nod mechanically, hoping I don't show any doubt. I really hope she's just trying to get her mind off of all of this, but I don't feel like I should care so much as long as Peaches is happy. Every time I look at her, though, I can't help but wish it was my heart she was trying to win. She certainly wouldn't have to try too hard.
...
The Sun is starting to go down when most of the teens have left for home. Even Steffie's and Ethan's friends have gone, So it's just Ethan, Steffie, Peaches and me. Peaches sporadically tries to get Ethan's attention away from Steffie; I worry that she's attempting to ask him out.
"Ethan. Ethan, I was wondering..." She's definitely asking him out. I feel my nerves clench as she continues, "I was wondering if you'd like to... go out someti..."
Steffie jumps out in front of Ethan so fast I'm sure she gives all three of us a heart attack. She interrupts, "Let me stop you right there, possum girl. Ethan is mine! And if you think he wants to be with some freak possum-mutt, you got another thing coming." I'm knocked off my feet by her abruptness. Also, since when are she and Ethan dating? She doesn't even give me time to think before continuing, "Why don't you just go hang in your tree with your little orphan friend there! Come on, Ethan, we're getting out of here!" Ethan looks shocked as Steffie storms off, but he finally says, "Okay! I'll meet up with you!" He pauses, "Peaches, I'm sorry about... that. I would go out with you, but... we're just too... too different. You're just a bit too possumy; it would be weird. I'm sorry, Peaches. Good bye." He rushes off to catch up with Steffie.
This chapter's song is "I Wish" by One Direction.