She untied her apron and hung it on the wall.
"Ella!" I called before she could leave.
"Yes?" Her lingering figure in the doorway made my heart feel even more guilty.
"I'm sorry about last night. And it's okay if you don't want me daring your son."
She walked back over. "Honey, it's okay. Just remember that there are rules."
I smiled and she wrapped me in a warm hug.
"I shouldn't be gone any longer than an hour," she said.
Five minutes later, Felix staggered into the kitchen like he hadn't slept a wink that night. He sat at the table and grabbed a plate that Ella had already fixed with food.
I got up and raked my leftovers in the garbage and placed my dishes in the sink. I went to my room to make up my bed. I pulled the covers off and noticed a piece of paper on my pillow. I picked it up.
I love you so much, Anna. And I'm sorry if I've hurt you in any way. – Felix
I smiled and slid the note in my pocket. And after making my bed, I went outside. The sun was shining but it couldn’t touch the cold. I pulled my hoodie over my head and walked around the yard. As I walked aimlessly, I saw something speeding. The same way it had happened before. Quick. Fast. Frightening.
But this time, instead of running, I bent over and patted his soft head and rubbed behind his ears.
"Hey boy." Sid hadn't wandered over to our land in a while. But whenever he visited, he was sure to let everyone know.
The front door opened. I didn't look behind me, but I knew who it was. His footsteps walked towards me and he bent beside me.
I looked in his eyes. We were super close. So close that our noses almost touched.
"I love you too, Felix." I was hinting to his note.
He put his hand on my head and kissed me. "I love you more."
I smiled. Everything was going to be alright. So, I thought. But little did I know of the days ahead.
Chapter 29
It's Over
We didn't go to church Sunday just to further the quarantine but when Monday came, it came early. And freezing. Waiting by the mailbox for the late bus was tortuous.
I called to Felix through chattering teeth.
"Yes?"
"I'm so – so cold."
He sat his books on the ground and pulled off his hoodie.
"No, don't do that."
He laughed. "I'll be fine."
"No."
"Well, come closer then."
I didn't wait. I ran into his arms and he grabbed my hands.
"Boy, your hands are cold."
"I know."
"I know what will warm you up."
"What?"
"Guess." He barely got the words out when he leaned forward and kissed me. And while he kissed me, the bus had arrived and blew its horn at us.
My face turned red.
"Don't worry about it," Felix said and grabbed my books and handed them to me. Then grabbed his.
"What do I do about Tom?" I asked. I was hoping Felix had changed his mind. Overnight. That something had happened to change his heart.
"Same thing."
"Ignore him?"
"Yes."
The bus driver impatiently motioned us. "Hurry up!"
We trotted to the bus and when we climbed the steps, the laughter was clear. The clear part was that it was towards us!
We shuffled to the back where Sarah and Tom were sitting. It's like the back was reserved for us. But it had something to do with them being the first houses on the bus route. They got first dibs. And the back seats were more comfortable and spacious.
Sarah whispered my name and I sat beside her.
"The whole school will know about the two of you now."
"I know," I mumbled.
"There's nothing to be ashamed of," Felix cut in and pulled me to the seat with him.
I glanced back at Sarah. She was now behind me. But I really glanced back to see Tom. It was my inconspicuous way of viewing him. And I was only doing it to see if he was depressed. Otherwise, I wouldn't even care to see him. Well, maybe just a little. Afterall, he was an excellent reader and funny at that. I wouldn't mind having him as a friend.
Unfortunately, he looked sick again. The kind of sleepless and nutrition restricting look.
When I walked into Miss Heather's office, she was happy to me again. And I did a great job – according to her – in my studies that day. And as the end of school bell ran, I heard a voice calling to me from the corner hall just as I was leaving her office.
But the voice, obviously familiar, belonged to Tom. And Felix was standing right in front of me, waiting for me to join his side.
Like a robot, I fell in pace beside him squeezing out my conscience. He grabbed my hand and whispered, "Good."
"How can you be so mean to your friend? I thought Roger said to work it out." I had, had enough of this. It was time to set him straight.
"I'm not being mean to him. I'm only keeping you out of it and away from him. And we did work it out, sort of.
"Have ya'll talked at all?"
"No."
I sighed, biting my tongue and deciding not to speak. We kept walking within the crowd.
"LeAnna!" It was Tom again. He was being resilient. And probably mad.
Felix hurried, and pulled me with him.
"Wait up!" He called.
Finally, Felix stopped. His expression indicated that he was a little more than irritated He was mad. Pure mad. And he was tired of Tom.
"Please don't fight," I begged.
He turned and Tom met him eye to eye.
"So, you're still making her ignore me. That's not fair, I'm her friend."
"I'm not making her do anything," Felix barked.
Tom faced me. "So, you're choosing to ignore me?" For a moment, he looked as if he would leave us alone if that were true.
"I – I…"
"You're making
