Loneliness. - Part 4

I went homeroom after science with Freddie and to me, today was the best day ever. Despite the fact that we both got in trouble for being late and the teachers gave a heap load of homework, today was definitely the best day of my life. I went home with a smile on my face for the first time in a very long time and when I got home, Annie asked me what happened in school. I replied with the usual 'it was okay' but it was actually amazing to me. I have a friend. I sighed happily and went to my bedroom. "Um hon, don't you want to eat first? You're always hungry," Annie said when I was on the stairs.

"No thanks ma'am! I'll grab something when I'm hungry," I giggled and quickly ran up to my room. Freddie gave me his number and he said to call him whenever I'm bored or whenever I need a friend. I took a quick shower and changed my clothes. I wore a plain white t-shirt with black skinny jeans. I dry my hair and wore a lip balm because my lips were chapped and dry. I went downstairs after I smelled Annie's famous artichoke dip with tortillas. My stomach groaned hungrily and I quickly took a mountain of the dip and tortillas.

Annie looked at me gobbled on the food messily and told me to calm down. I smiled at her and told her about Freddie. "Oh my God! How nice!" she yelled with excitement when I told her what happened at school today. I liked Annie, I always imagined step moms are evil like in Cinderella but she's nice and lovely and beautiful and I love her. Bob married Annie after two years mom died. I was five at the time, Annie has been taking care of me like I was her own child. I told her that I'm going to meet him at the park in a minute because he was going to move in next week and he needs someone to show him around.

Annie forced me to eat faster so I can meet him quicker. I blushed and finished up my food. "Bye!" Annie giggled when I left the front porch. I waved at her and walked my way up to the park. When I reached there, Freddie was sitting on one of the swings with an iPod in his hand. Then I remembered, it was mine. He didn't gave it back to me when he was listening to it in Science. I ran up and stood in front of him, blocking the sun from his face. He looked up at me and smiled,

"Hello," Freddie greeted me and I grinned widely. "I believe this is yours," he handed me the iPod. I took it and our hands brushed against each other's for a split second. I blushed, of course, and he smiled when I tried to avoid eye contact with him because I couldn't control my happiness. "C'mon then, you've got places to show me since I'm a newbie," he winked. I swallowed and my hands were sweaty. I wiped my hands on my jeans and put my hands behind my back. We both walked side to side and joked about the things that we see on the streets. I actually have a lot in common with him which made me happy. He told me he likes composing and playing music, he likes studying Science and making people smile.

Well he is good at it. Making people smile. I mean, I have never smiled like this before. I told him minor stuff about me, how I play the guitar and I write music of my own. He said that we both have a lot in common and he likes talking to me. My level of happiness was almost hard for me to describe. I tried hard not to blush and when I do, I looked away so he wouldn't notice but I knew him, and he noticed.

"How long have you been with your girlfriend?" I asked hoping it wasn't a personal question.

"We have been together for 6 months," he said but didn't sound like he was happy at all.

"Oh, that's cool. Must be nice to have someone to talk to everyday," I replied putting my head down. He stopped all of a sudden and grabbed my shoulder. He looked at me straight in my eyes. His aqua blue met my grassy green eyes and I couldn't help but fall a little bit harder for him.

"Why do I feel differently when I'm around you Jenny? I barely know you. I don't even know your last name!"

"Differently?" I was curious to know and this time, I felt butterflies flutter in my stomach. He nodded and gave me his warm friendly smile again. "What do you mean?" I asked.

"Like, different. You're different. But- a good different." He replied honestly. I couldn't believe what I just heard and this time I did blush. I could feel my cheeks reddening and I didn't even care enough if he saw me or not. This guy sure knows his ways with girls. I was so happy I didn't notice that I stepped into mud and got my shoe covered in it. Freddie laughed so hard until he was tearing up a little. Oh God, I am making a habit out of embarrassing myself in front of him.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't be laughing. Oh God! You're so clumsy," he sniggered and tried to control himself. I slapped his arm and had to take off my shoe. He carried on laughing when he offered me a piggyback. At first, I hesitated but then he told me that I'd have to walk with one shoe on and I agreed.

He was still laughing when we were on our way back to my house and I tighten my hand making him to choke a little on purpose. "Stop it, it's not funny," I said embarrassedly.

"Yeah it is!" and suddenly we both fell down on the road. Luckily there were no cars passing by the neighbourhood so we quickly got up. He was still laughing, "Oh God I'm sorry! Ow, my ribs hurt!"

"Are you okay?" I asked him concern but he paid no attention to himself. Freddie kept on laughing like he was on nitrous oxide. "Freddie! I held his shoulders and shook him hoping that I would bring back some sense into himself. Finally, after so much laughing he stopped and placed his hand on his stomach.

"I haven't laughed like this for ages!" he grinned.

"What's so funny?" I wanted to know because nothing was amusing at all.

"Nothing! That's why it's funny," Freddie smiled. We reached my house and I told him that I needed to clean my shoe and he should probably go home and get some rest. He didn't want to go so instead, without invitation, he went in my house before I do and left me standing there all by myself. My God, I had mixed feelings about this but I hopped with one leg and closed the door and yelled for Annie's help.