The rest of the day was spent in movie marathon. One horror flick after another was played.
Though I wasn’t exactly a fan of these movies, Drew insisted. Mom and I had no choice, since
he always gets his way when it comes to things like these. I suddenly missed Dad. He was the
only one who could argue with my uncle’s verdict.
The sun was up when I woke up the next morning. I checked the clock on my bedside table.
8:00am.
I rubbed my eyes and sat up in the bed. I think I saw Drew leaning against the wall by the
window, staring at me. I stared blankly on the foot of the bed, shaking off sleep.
“Aren’t you greeting me good morning?” I almost jumped at the sound of his voice. I looked up
and saw that it was indeed Drew leaning against the wall.
“You ignored me,” he said, as he neared my bed. He perched on the edge, the same spot
where I was staring at a while ago.
“Sorry,” was all I could think of saying.
He reached out and ruffled my hair. Every time he does that, I can’t help but remember
Anthony.
“Anything funny?” he asked.
“Uhh, nothing.”
“You’re smiling.”
I removed the covers and I got up from the bed. “Whatever Drew,” and I disappeared inside my
bathroom.
I heard him call out something incomprehensible.
I stuck my head from the door. “Saying something?”
“No more limping.” He pointed to my unseen ankle. I turned my gaze toward it and noticed he
was right. It didn’t hurt anymore.
“Yea. I think I’ve recovered already.” I smiled, trying to circumnavigate my ankle. Surprisingly,
there was no sign of pain.
“Good.” Drew muttered mischievously. He lowered his gaze, thinking I didn’t catch that glow in
his eyes. I eyed him suspiciously. He felt my eyes were on him, so he met my stare.
“What?”
After a few seconds of considering what mischief he might be thinking of, I shrugged the matter
off.
“Nothing.” I disappeared again into the bathroom.
When I returned, Drew was holding my phone.
“What are you doing?”
“Sending messages.” He answered confidently.
“To whom?” I pressed further.
“Some people,” he shrugged and tossed my phone back on the bed.
People? I stared at him suspiciously and picked up my phone. I checked the sent messages
and almost wanted to grapple the life out of him. He just told the twins and Anthony to meet me
at the ice skating rink by 10am. What’s worse was that they all agreed.
“What is this?”
“Something fun!” he said as he left the room.
~
“I think you should’ve informed Jonathan too. It’s not fair he misses something like this,” I said to Drew as we entered the mall.
“You mean something as fun as this?” he teased again.
I rolled my eyes. “I just don’t want my best friend left out.”
As the last word was said, someone suddenly jumped from somewhere behind us, beaming.
“Jonathan!”
“I was right. It was your voice,” he winked at me.
“Drew informed you too?”
“Of course. You think I’m that forgetful to not include him? I used my phone. You almost forgot we’re best buds.” Drew chuckled.
Jonathan nodded a little too hastily than usual for emphasis.
We entered the skating rink and saw the twins almost immediately. They were quite a sight.
“Hi guys! Hi Mr. Hamilton!” Kristine welcomed us.
I smiled at them. It was obvious that she was delighted to see Jonathan with us. We sat at the
benches near the entrance, waiting for Anthony.
A few minutes later, my phone beeped.
I can’t make it, Drei. Sorry.
“Let’s get inside, Anthony can’t make it,” I said casual y.
“Too bad,” Kris muttered. You can say that again.
Jonathan was talking with the twins as we entered. Drew walked beside me.
“That’s okay. Don’t think too much about it. You were together the other night,” he reassured
me.
“I’m alright Drew,” I answered him. Why would I get affected? He wasn’t compelled to come.
Why would he be? We weren’t… together.
I pushed the thought away as we lined up for the ice skates. I was at the end of the line, and
Kris was standing to my right.
“Aren’t you worried someone might see us? I mean, Mr. Hamilton’s with us…” he whispered.
I blinked. “What?” then I realized what he was referring to.
“We’re a group, Kris. And besides, we’re not together. Nothing to deny,” I assured him.
He shrugged. “Okay.” After a moment, he added, “I believe you.”
Those three words were stuck in my head. I believe you. Why do I have the feeling that it meant something more than what it’s supposed to mean?
A few minutes later, we were ready to enter the rink. Jonathan and I were chatting happily about
our favorite moves on ice when I noticed the twins whispering to each other.
I was about to ask Kristine about the fuzz when someone pulled my arm.
I turned and saw Drew staring down at me.
“What?”
“Did you invite him, too?” he nodded toward his right. I followed the direction and didn’t see who
he was referring to until someone on the far side of the rink waved at me. From the arrogant
stance, I knew exactly who it was.
“Am I that crazy that I’d invite him?” I denied harshly.
Drew shrugged. “He real y knows when to show up, doesn’t he?”
I frowned. Get lost, Carl.
Jonathan entered the rink, with Drew and I following him. I turned to the twins who seemed
rooted to the spot. Their faces had the same expression that I tried my best not to laugh at
them.
“What’s wrong?” I asked them.
“Err. I know it sounds ridiculous since we agreed to go here…” Kris hesitated for a moment.
Kristine continued for him. “But we can’t actual y do this.” She smacked her skates lightly
against the floor.
I chuckled. “That’s not a problem. We’l teach you! Right, Jonathan?” I knew he was listening so
I joined him in.
I wasn’t the least shocked that he was suddenly beside me, wearing a proud smile on his face.
“With pleasure.”
Kristine took Jonathan’s outstretched hand, and I held out my hand to Kris. He hesitated for a
second, then took my hand and finally entered the rink.
~
The twins were fast learners. After stumbling a few times, they finally got the hang of it. They
were
