Chapter 2: Six years later
Lorin:
I woke up this morning, knowing that I’ll finally get my first boyfriend. I’m serious. After 16 years of being on this world, I, Lorin MacDonnell will finally have a boyfriend. Tonight was my date with Alexander. Alexander Cordell, one of the most famous guys in school. He was the fantasy of every girl in the city and I couldn’t believe it, and neither did the other girls, when he asked me out.
He had this nice baby blue eyes and that light brown hair which I had dreamed of running my hands through. His smile also makes a girl’s heart melt.
I looked into my wardrobe and searched through my clothes. Jeans, jeans, jean… I looked surprised on how many jeans I had. What kind of style does Alexander want a girl to wear? I looked in the wardrobe, deeper and deeper and all I could find were Jeans. I sank on the floor, helplessly.
My mom who just happened to pass by saw the large mountain my jeans had made, which was nearly the size of mount Fiji, and walked in.
“Having a spring cleaning day?” she asked.
“Moooommm!” I groaned, not ready for her joke yet. “This is a serious disaster! For the first time in my life I get asked out by a guy and I don’t have anything decent to wear!”
My dog, a golden retriever, came in to see what all the fuss is about.
“Not now, Sam!” I said pushing the dog out of the room. He shot me an annoyed look and with a small growl, he went away.
Great. Even my dog was angry with me.
My mom looked in my wardrobe.
“Well,” my mom remarked. “The only clothes you have in here are jeans. I really should buy you a skirt.”
“Uh, mom. Thanks for that and all but,” I looked at the clock. “My date is coming in an hour. It’s 7 pm and I have no time to go to the mall.”
“Well,” she said. “I’ll leave you to handle the situation then.”
“Mom!” I said, aghast. “You’re my mother! Hello, You are supposed to help me?”
“You really don’t need any help at all. The answer is right in front of you, darling.” She said, walking out the room and humming a tune from mission impossible.
“I’ll sue you!” I called after her, annoyed.
“I’m afraid you can’t dear. Remember that I’m your lawyer.” My mom called back. Oh right, I forgot about that. My mom was a successful lawyer and she’s, at the same time, my lawyer. In case I get into any trouble of some sort. I slump my head back and reach to pick up the phone to call off the date when I saw a small plastic bag.
It was like a miracle.
I remembered that just a week ago, my mom bought this dress with a matching sweater, which was adorable. Only, I didn’t think there’d be an occasion where I’ll be able to wear it so I stuffed it at the back of the wardrobe, to be forgotten for a long time.
I crawl towards the wardrobe and snatched it out there. I took it out and it still looked brand new. I gave a sigh of relief and started to get ready for my dress.
A few minutes later, I twirled in front of the mirror, admiring how great it fits me. I skipped all the way to the kitchen, where my mother was.
“Well dear,” She said, nodding approvingly. “That is a very decent thing to wear.”
Sam came in, chewing his toy bone.
“How do I look, Sam?” I asked. It tilted his head to one side as if examining the dress on me and then he gave a woof.
“Good choice, boy!” I said.
Sam, a 9-month old Golden retriever was not like other dogs. I found him one day when he was just a puppy. Someone left him in some box just behind our building and I took him home. My mom said I could keep him if I could take care of him. I realize, when Sam was 5 months that he was actually clever. You can talk to him and he can reply to you with a bark or something.
I gave him a scratch behind the ears, which he seemed to like.
Then the doorbell rang. My heart leaped inside my chest and I went, this was it.
I went to open the door, not forgetting to check if I looked fine or not, and found Alexander waiting outside in his decent looking clothes. He was holding some flowers, too. Alexander looked at me and smiled. I felt my heart skip a beat just then and I found myself thinking, I wanna keep him!
“Hey!” I said. “Come in!”
He came in, looking around in the house and sat down on the sofa.
I went to my mom, who was making some salad.
“Mom…Please, this is my first date.” I said pleadingly.
“Oh alright. I’ll just show him your baby pictures.” She said.
“Mooomm!” I said, shocked. “You wouldn’t!”
She laughed and went out to meet Alexander. When my mom came out, he stood up.
“Oh, good evening Mrs. MacDonnell!” he said politely, giving my Mom the flowers. Wow, he has some pretty good manners. I heard he hasn’t gotten a girlfriend yet, which I wondered because he was hot, cute, polite and smart.
So you could imagine what a shock it was for me when he came and asked me out. I felt like I have gone to heaven just then.
“Well, you both have fun and remember to bring her back before midnight.” My mom told him, obviously approving in him.
“Will do, ‘mam” Alexander said, looking at me and smiling, which made me smile back at him. I wanted to get out the house right then and run away with him to fairy-tale land.
“Let’s go?” I asked. He nodded, taking my hand and smiling at me.
“Did I say you look great tonight?” he asked. I shook my head, smiling and lost for words.
He took me to dinner in a not fancy but decent restaurant and we had a walk down the park right after, talking all about ourselves.
We sat down at a perfect spot, looking right onto the sea. I could imagine us there, moonlight shining down on us and then he will lean down and kiss me. This made my stomach fill with butterflies. I could hardly wait for that moment to come. How perfect can this night get? There was no such thing as it’s too good to be true, because right now, it’s true and it’s too good.
Alexander moved closer.
“Lorin,” he said, smiling uneasily at me. “I-I have to tell you something.”
This was it! He was going to confess his love to me. I looked deep into his eyes, just like the magazine said to do, if you want to be kissed.
“I know…that you like me and all. That you have a crush on me…” he said, actually having a difficult time saying it.
I gave a little smile. “Alexander,” I said. “You can say anything you feel.”
“Really?” he asked, relaxing a little.
“Of course, silly.” I said. All that was going through my mind was how he was going to confess his love to me, under the moonlight and I shall say yes. And then…
“Okay I’ll say it.” He said. He cleared his throat. I waited for him to say what he feels. My dreams were going to come true…
“I- I think I’m gay.” He said.
My dreams fell on me like a meteor out of the sky and I fell off the bench.
Marcus:
“Yeah Mom, I will be fine, you don’t have to worry!” I said for the hundredth time that day. Not only was I going back to Hong Kong to study, I was going there alone. Total freedom!
The moment I reached Aunt Crystal’s house, I knew that this time, I will be independent! I will have my own rules, I will be…
My three-year-old cousin came bouncing up to meet me.
I will be a damn babysitter. I’m sure my mates are all back in London, laughing their arses off right now if they found out that once a while, I’ll have to be a baby sitter. Jeez.
So much for the rules.
“This is Dave!” My aunt said. “Look how happy he is to meet you!”
“How do you do, lad!” I said in my acquired British accent. He gave a small giggle at this.
“Marcus!” My uncle said, coming out the room. “Look how you’ve grown!”
“Well,” I said to him. “Doing all good things I can do to make me a healthy lad.”
“Your room is all ready. Are you sure you’re ready to be here?” he asked.
I nodded. “Of course, uncle.” I said. “Well, I’m awfully jetlagged by the trip. I’ll be in my room, resting for a while.”
“Alright.” My uncle said. “The school where we have registered you in gave you some sheets, just to know what to bring on your first day. Have a good rest, son.”
I shut the door after saying goodnight and locked it. Ah well, finally I won’t be laughed at. In London, just because I sound British, people expect me to speak like one. But I couldn’t. I’ve only spoken the way I used to speak when I was still here in Hong Kong.
I jumped on the bed, which was actually very comfortable. I looked at the sheets in which school I would be.
Richardson International School.
It looked like a respectable school. Not to mention the large green grassy field it has on the ground. I could see a lot of students in the picture sitting down at the back of the school on the grass, talking and having fun. I stifled another yawn and I decided I’ll check out the school tomorrow. I turned the lights off and fell asleep.
Lorin:
I fell off the bench. Literally and it hurts a lot.
“Are you alright?” Alexander asked, leaning down t help me. I stood up quickly and sat down again.
“Oh uh, yeah.” I said, dusting my dress. “I’m fine! Did I just hear you say what I think you did?”
Alexander nodded sadly.
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing! Was I that so unlucky in love that I couldn’t even have a boyfriend?
“Well…that’s alright.” I said, not knowing what to say.
Alexander looked at me. “But I’m not sure if I’m gay or not!” he stood up and started pacing in front of me.
“I like to go shopping, I like my things neat and I haven’t fallen in love with a girl yet. I don’t even like guys anyway. Please, don’t tell anyone this. The football guys are starting to get suspicious of my tidiness and I just couldn’t hold it any longer and I asked you out cause I thought I could make it work with you but…” he said.
He was seriously stressed. The guy was babbling! I can’t even catch up with him because I had a hard time processing the information he had just told me.
I took his arm and pulled him slowly back onto the bench.
“Calm down!” I said. “I’m not going to tell anyone, alright. Just shut up and listen to me.”
He did shut up.
“You don’t know if you’re gay or not, am I right?” I said. He nodded.
“Now,” I said. “You think the guys in the football team you are in getting suspicious because you are neat?”
He nodded again, looking like a lost puppy.
“And you asked me out because you thought that we might work out and everything with be fine?” I said. He nodded once more.
“Why me?” I asked.
“Well, you look trustworthy.” He told me. “Plus, you’re cute too.”
I blushed. “Why thank you.” I said. “But what are you going to do about it?”
“That’s the point!” he said, running his hand through his hair. “I don’t know what to do. I don’t have any close friends to talk this with.”
“You do.” I pointed out.
“Really?” he asked, surprised. “Who?”
“Me. You’ve just told me possibly, the biggest secret of your entire personality and you are talking about it with me, now.” I said. Duh.
He realized this and his eyes started to light up.
“I’ve got it!” he said, jumping up so suddenly that I thought I would fall again.
“Got what?” I asked.
“You will pretend to be my girlfriend!” He said.
“Huh?” I asked. “Me? You’re girlfriend?”
“Yes! But in reality, you are my best friend who…will go shopping with me and such! You can pretended to be a fussy girlfriend that always drags me shopping! But in reality, I’m the one dragging you shopping!” He said happily, and then he looked at me. “Please say yes! I have 3 sisters! I can do make up on you and fix your nails. Is that gay?”
I looked at him, lost for words. I actually got it now. He grew up with 3 sisters who thought him to do girl things. And because he likes doing them, he thinks he’s gay. But I had a feeling he wasn’t. He’s as manly in the inside than the outside!
“I don’t think you are gay.” I said. “You don’t like a guy right?” He nodded.
“But you haven’t fallen in love with a girl?” I asked again and he nodded. I stood up.
“Well then, Alexander. I will be your best friend pretend girlfriend until I can prove to the world that you are a man!” Very dramatic.
Alexander wraps his hands around me and gives me a tight hug. I smiled a little.
“Thanks!” he said to me. “I hope I am not gay.”
“Me too Alexander.” I said.
“Call me Alex.” He said, extending his hand like it was the first time we had met.
“Uh, I don’t have a nick name. Just call me Lorin.” I said, shaking his hand.
It was time to execute Mission Impossible: Prove that Alex isn’t Gay.
Marcus:
I was just in my dream, telling the girl I love my feelings for her when the damn phone rang.
I fell off my bed and that woke me up. I cursed at the phone, checking the clock and wondering who was calling at this time of the day.
It was just 9 am and it’s a Saturday. Everyone oversleeps on a Saturday!
I stand up, rubbing my painful back and answered the phone with annoyance.
“Hello?” I said.
“Oh, hello. Is Marcus Brown here?” asked the caller. The voice was so familiar but I couldn’t put my finger on it.
“Yeah? Who’s this?” I asked. Who cares if I was rude? The caller was rude enough to wake me up from my peaceful sleep.
“Marcus, dear! It’s been a while!” said the caller. “It’s me, Aunt Tina!”
“Oh!” I said, regretting being rude. “Aunt Tina, hey!”
“Sorry if I woke you.” She said. Well, I’m already awake so what good will it do? Only I didn’t tell her that.
“Nah.” I said. “No problem at all. Mother and Father sent you some gifts. I didn’t know when to give them to you.”
“Well, you could give them today. When can you come here?” she asked. I remembered a special someone.
“As soon as possible.” I said. Aunt Tina gave me the address and I quickly changed into my clothes. All my thoughts drifted to Lorin. I hadn’t seen her in 4 years. After I had screamed at her on the phone, my dad told me why she hadn’t invited me. It was because she wasn’t having any party. Uncle Norman was in an accident and he was dead on arrival at the hospital. I was shocked to hear this and when I tried to call Lorin back, I couldn’t contact her. I wrote letters, sent emails but I received no response. I didn’t have a best friend any more. I had forgotten about her. Until now.
I left my aunt’s apartment at 11 am and took a bus to their apartment. I was very nervous in seeing Lorin again.
I wanted to see her, but I didn’t know what she would look like or what she will say. I was to apologize to her when I see her.
The bus dropped me off just in front of the building and I was let in by the guard. The place they were living in was nice too.
The moment I arrived at their door, I wanted to drop the things for Aunt Tina and Lorin and go. I shook my head. I was being a coward, a big coward who couldn’t even face his own problems.
“You moron, Marcus. Be a man! You’re not scared of anything. Why do you let this scare you, man?” I told myself. I took a deep breath and shook my hands a little.
Shakily I rang the doorbell and waited.
Lorin:
“Come on over! Tell my mom I’m expecting you.” I said onto the phone as the doorbell rang. Whoever arrived was very early. We never usually get early visitors.
“Alright.” Alex said in the phone. “Be there in a few minutes. Bye!”
Every since last night, after he had dropped me off, we talked on the phone for a few minutes and suddenly, it was like we had been best friends forever. I had even told my mom that we were to be best friends and how I would help him. She found this amusing although I didn’t tell her the ‘gay’ part. So it would be no problem if Alex came over. My mom will tell him to go to my room straight ahead.
Curious of the visitor, I walked towards the door and put my ear on it. I know it was eavesdropping and it’s bad but I was so darn curious!
I heard a guy’s voice and I wondered if my mom was actually seeing anyone. A British guy too! It would be good, since after Dad died, she had been all alone, raising me. I moved away from the door. Maybe it was a client. I went to get myself ready so when Alex came here, I wouldn’t look like I had just been sleeping.
I mean, even though we were now officially ‘best buds’ it doesn’t hurt getting ready, does it?
Maybe my dream of having the perfect boyfriend will have to wait.
Marcus:
“Tell your Mom and Dad these are wonderful gifts!” Aunt Tina told me as I was sitting down on their comfortable sofa.
“Of course.” I said. A golden retriever came out of the kitchen and started to sniff me. I held out my hand and the dog licked it then walked away.
“So, Aunt Tina” I said trying to sound as cool as I can be. “Where’s Lorin?”
“Oh she might still be sleeping.” She said. “It’s been a while hasn’t it?”
I nodded. “Yes.” I said. “I guess I wanted to apologized for shouting at her.”
and for being a jerk, I added.
Aunt Tina smiled at me. “Oh I’ll tell her that.” She said. “I’d like to ask you to go straight ahead to her room, however, she doesn’t know you are coming. She might still be angry with you. I hope you understand, Marcus.”
“Yes” I replied. “Maybe I’ll wait until she wakes up.”
“Oh yes, you do that. I’ll check my famous gingerbread cookies while your waiting.” She said, walking into the kitchen. I grinned.
Then the doorbell rang.
“Marcus, Can you please open the door? I’ll be there in a second.” Aunt Tina said.
I walked over to the door and opened it.
There stood a guy who seemed to be my age. I was surprised to see him and he was as surprised to see me.
“Oh! Alexander.” Aunt Tina said, coming out from the kitchen with a bowl full of gingerbread cookies.
“Good Morning, Mrs. MacDonnell.” He said and he turned to me “Can I come in?”
I moved aside and let him in, studying him. I wondered who this guy was.
“What brings you this early?” she asked.
“Oh, Lorin is expecting me.” He said casually. Lorin? Expecting him? Was he Lorin’s boyfriend?
“Oh, in that case.” Aunt Tina went inside and took out a tray of breakfast. “Bring this to her will you?”
“Alright.” The guy, Alexander said, taking the tray. Aunt Tina pointed to where Lorin’s room was and he walked to the room and knocked on the door. I expected to see Lorin go out and she’ll see me and I will apologize to her and she’ll dump Alexander and go out with me. A very good plan, only she didn’t go out. There was a shout of ‘Come in’ and Alexander came in the room and the door was closed again. I looked longingly at the door, wanting to go in, too. I sighed and went to the kitchen.
Lorin:
“Come in!” I said aloud.
Alexander came in, grinning broadly.
“Alex!” I said happily. I took the tray from him and gave him a brief hug.
“Ah,” he said. “A new way to spend a morning and that is to hang out with you.”
I turned red at this. “Oh come on.” I said and we both sat on my bed.
“By the way,” Alex said. “There’s a teenage guy outside. Are you sure you don’t have a boyfriend?”
“Really?” I asked, going to the door, opening it and looking outside. There was nobody there. I closed the door again.
“Are you sure there’s someone there?” I asked. “I didn’t see anyone.”
Alex shrugged. “He might’ve left.” He said.
“Yeah.” I said, eating my breakfast. “Alex, I want to know something. It’s a guy thing and maybe you know how to answer it.”
“Well, I’ll try.” Alex said, uncertainly. “While you are talking to me, I’ll check your wardrobe.”
“Well, I was wondering…How come nobody likes me?” I asked, before drinking my juice.
“That’s up to the guy. Guys usually fall in love with a particular person and they court that person. I’m sure there’s a guy out there for you.” He said, looking through my wardrobe and seeing all the jeans I had.
“Hey, Lorin.” He said, amused. “How many jeans do you really have?!”
I smiled sheepishly. “Well, I didn’t notice that until last night so…”
“I see. Hurry up and finish breakfast quickly. We will go shopping for you.” Alex said
“well…Uh,” I looked at him. “I’m a bad person to go shopping with. I don’t even know what to buy!”
“Lorin, Remember I grew up with 3 sisters who forced me to go shopping with them and help them pick clothes.” He said. “I’m used to it.”
I put my tray away.
“Well, I’m going to get ready. Go wait outside.” I told him.
“Aw man.” He said, feigning a moan. “But I’m gay right? I can stay!”
“Alexander… outside… now. ” I said pushing him out. He gave one last grin at me and I closed the door. I shook my head and started to get ready.
Marcus:
I looked at the guy, Alexander who came out. He must’ve sensed me looked and he turned. I turned around and return to eating the cookies Aunt Tina cooked. Man, I missed these things.
“Alexander, would you want some cookies?” Aunt Tina asked him. He nodded and sat down in the dining table and ate the cookies, apparently enjoying them like I was. I still disapproved of him.
Lorin needed a guy who has black hair, brown eyes who looks great. Like Me.
“Oh,” Alexander suddenly said taking me away from my daydream where I was punching hell out of him and Lorin kissing me for saving her from Alexander. Ha. Ha. Ha. “Lorin and I are thinking of going to the Mall.” He said. “She has a lot of jeans, huh?”
Aunt Tina laughed. “I don’t know what to do with her. The only time she wore a dress was last night on your date.”
This information perked me up. Date? They went on a date? This little git was dating Lorrie! I was too late… No… it was just a date! I can still be fix things with Lorin.
I actually have 3 things on how to fix things with Lorin.
a) I can punch Alexander and talk to Lorin.
b) Talk to Lorin and punch Alexander.
c) Just punch Alexander for being such a git.
I think the third one was a good choice. I suddenly had the urge to use the loo. So I stood up and went there.
Lorin:
I was finally ready. I heard the door close nearby my room but I shrugged. I went out and found Alexander munching on some gingerbread cookies.
“These are so good.” He said. I shook my head. My mom’s secret recipe and she didn’t share it with anyone. Not even me! And I’m her daughter.
“Well,” I said. “I’m ready to go!”
Marcus:
I heard Lorin outside! She was outside. I gotta get to her. I tried to open the door and I realize it was stuck! I tried shaking it but I was really stuck.
“This can’t be happening!” I said. “NO! Not now, you little piece of-”
Lorin:
I looked over at our bathroom. I guess mom’s guest got stuck there. The door was broken and we were having it fixed tomorrow. I guess my mom forgot to warn the guest. I shook my head.
“Let’s go!” I said. “Mom we’re off to the mall.”
“Well.” My mom said, taking her credit card and giving it to me. “Try not to spend to much and good luck with her, Alexander!”
“Mom!” I said aghast, while Alex laughed. “I’m not that bad at shopping!”
“Well…I’m sorry dear but you are.” She said, with a sad smile.
“My own mother too. Bye mom, Bye Sam” I said as I went out the door with Alex. I was that bad? Wow. I really need some shopping tips from Alex.
Marcus:
“Oh! I’m sorry I forgot to tell you Marcus but this bathroom lock is broken.” She said. “ And you missed Lorin, they just went out.”
I groaned. I feel like an idiot.
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