CHAPTER 34
“Uncle I need your help.” I cry, as soon as I enter the apartment
My uncle comes out from the kitchen to greet me. He has on a concerned face. I didn’t mean to scare him. It must be just parental instincts kicking in.
“You aren’t failing a class are you?” he questions, disappointment evident in his voice
“No it’s not that. Halloween is in two weeks and I’m going to celebrate it with my friends, but I don’t know what to dress up as.” I explain
He gives me a skeptical look. This isn’t looking good. “And that’s what you need help on?”
I nod
“What are you going to do for Halloween?” He sounds unhappy with every ticking second.
“I’m going to a party then I’m camping at Ai’s house.” I say
I don’t see the big deal. He’s having a fit over nothing. He frowns. He’s not going to let me go?! He HAS to let me go! My friends are going and I was invited. It isn’t fair if he says no. I pout hoping it’ll win him over. Things aren’t looking too bright.
“Reina, most high school parties have alcohol.” He started
“I know, but I won’t drink any of it!” I cry
He doesn’t seem to buy that either. Party: a no go. He sighs and shakes hi head. He can’t be serious! He’s ok with the other things I do, but this one is where he puts his foot down? I scowl. It isn’t right. It doesn’t even make any sense.
“Peer pressure is an amazing thing.” He chuckles, faintly
He doesn’t trust me does he?! I’ve never done anything against him. I always follow his rules and don’t give him problems. I’ve been nothing but a good kid! And he knows that.
“Uncle, it isn’t fair!” I protest
“I didn’t say you couldn’t go.”
“But you don’t need to. I can tell you don’t want me to go!”
He exhales heavily. “I just need to think about this. Do you know the dangers of a teenage party? There are drugs there besides alcohol.”
“But you let me go to Ai’s birthday party last month.” I note
“That’s different. On Halloween teenagers tend to act up and do strange things. Look, all I’m asking for is some time to think this through. The last thing I want is my niece to end up hurt. As your guardian I need to be careful with what you do. I promise it won’t be long.”
“Ok, fine.” I angrily agree
“Thank you.” He goes back into the kitchen. “I made food. Would you like some?”
“I’m not hungry.” I growl and march to my room
I didn’t say I wouldn’t be angry with him for his choice because I am. I’m real mad. If he says no, I’ll be angrier! I was looking forward to the party and he just took it away from me. But he hasn’t said no yet and he didn’t say yes either. I hope he gives me an answer soon. I jump on to my bed and lay with my face into the pillows. I lay there in silence for a while trying to see things through my uncle’s view. I know he’s looking out for me, but I would never do drugs or drink, NEVER. He doesn’t believe that. My cell phone starts to ring and I fish it out of my backpack. I flip it open with out looking at the screen. I got a text message from Eri. Seeing that she’s the one to send me a text makes me a little happier. I open it and read the tiny white letters inside.
-I miss you-
I smile and notice there’s a picture attached. I open it. It’s a picture of her with a pout on her face and her hands clasped together under her face. She looks so cute in a dorky kind of way. I let out a chuckle and go to reply.
-I miss you more-
I lift up my cell phone to take a picture of my sad face then send it.
-Kawaii! ^_^-
I laugh and she sends me another picture. This one is unexpected. It’s a picture of her in a black bra and jeans with her back facing the camera while looking into the mirror with a little smirk on her face. I nearly have a heart attack!
-O_O-
-LOL I knew you would have liked it-
I close out of the texting mode and quickly dial down her number. She picks up instantly.
“Are you trying to kill me?!”
She laughs.
“Hey.” She says casually, trying to sound like little ‘Miss Innocent.’
I go quiet to control myself, because inside I’m practically mush.
“Are you ok?” She teases
“I think so.” I giggle bashfully
“Was it too much?”
“Hey, enough with the teasing.” I whine
She laughs some more. “Sorry.”
It’s quiet again for a second.
“What are you doing?” She questions
Imagining me doing YOU! Yeah she doesn’t have to know that though. I’ll go with a more settle and none perverted reply.
“Nothing, I’m just in bed bored.”
“Oh! I have a costume to wear, but I’ll need your help to make it.”
I raise my brow, curious to know her choice of costume.
“What is it?”
“A turtle.” She says in a matter-of-fact tone. I laugh. “What? It’s a good idea!”
“Eri, how would you make the shell? And on top of that I don’t think you can move around well in one.”
“Ah, I never thought of that! Now I don’t know what to be again.” She wails
“Don’t worry I’ll help you.”
“Do you have a costume?”
I shift uncomfortably in my bed. I was hoping she wouldn’t ask that.
“No.” I mumble, “I don’t think…I’ll go.”
“What?! Why?! But you have to go!” she demands
“My uncle isn’t sure about me going because it’s ‘unsafe’. He said he would think about it.”
“Then that’s good! Because you might still go, right?”
“I suppose.” I sigh, I really don’t want to bring her hopes up then bring them down.
“You’ll go, don’t worry.” She encourages
She sounds so sure about it. I feel myself start to smile again and relax. Only she seems to calm me down when I’m about to flip. I can’t thank her enough for that.
“I love you.” I say
“I love you too.” She repeats back and my insides turn to jelly.
“Listen, I have to go. My dad needs my help doing grocery shopping. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Ok, bye.”
We both hang up and strangely…I don’t feel so angry with my uncle anymore.