Chapter 4

Saturday, 5a.m.

Recently, I didn’t got to sleep well. I simply wore a plain white singlet, blue tight jacket and a black lagging. I got down and a miracle ensued. My dad was sipping his coffee and reading the newspaper in the dining room. I walked into the kitchen and pour myself a glass of orange juice. Soon after I walked out from the kitchen and sat down beside my dad.

“Hey, Dad.”

“It’s only 5a.m, Raven. Why don’t you take some more sleep?” He set down his newspaper and met my eyes.

“Dad, why don’t you tell yourself?” I smiled.

“Raven, I know you’re sleepless recently. Take some rest during the weekends. What had happen to you?” He started to worry.

“I know, I will… It’s nothing, I think probably I’m feeling stress for the coming test.” I lied.

“No stress. You know I never required you anything in education.”

“I know, Dad. You remembered I promised mom, she wanted me to be good and I need to graduate with flying colors.” I felt how serious I seemed to be but I knew it was still a lie.

“Ray, you don’t have to take it so harsh. I know you always did well in school, especially last year. You’d got the best academic certification. I’m proud of you.” He grinned.

“Dad, only Biology.” I rolled my eyes and asked. “Do you remember anything special about tomorrow?”

“Yea, 9 years after your mom’s dead.” He looked away from me and brought up his newspaper. I know there’s something he wanted to hide from me – his tears. I never wanted to expose him from crying in front of me because I knew how upset and miserable he was. He misses her.

“I’ll go to the florist to buy mom flowers and we’ll go together tomorrow. And ahh, the fridge needs something to fill with.” I pointed the fridge and attempted to grin but I flopped.

“Okay. Be back soon.”  Dad sounded worst.

I took my purse, and I-pod from my school bag and laid them into my handbag and walked out of the house. I never drove during weekends, I preferred walked instead of driving. I took out my earphone and held in my ear. I knew it was crazy to boost the volume, but I’m tired of being around the chaos of the realistic world. Being part of the music world, all I can possibly felt was peaceful and serene. Music practically stood half of my life. I still remembered how much I wanted to become a child prodigy in the spot of music. But, I did not become one of them. I laughed.

I can felt the melody of the music fulfill all my necessities, for now, for the moment I felt I needed alternatives companion. In fact, I don’t mind to recall the memories which my mom left for me. She gave me the most glorious memories in my life although that only encompassed eight years memories, and the most important part was I love and misses her smile. She’s the only one I tremendously care about, wanted to love her and protect her. My mom protected me when I’m young. The only thing I told her before she died was … ‘Mom is my turn to protect you.’ That’s a joke. How possible could an eight years old child protect her mom in such an infantry ages? But, her dead sufficiently destructed and sabotaged my promised.

Walking on the streets, the sound of the birds chirping, were also the most enjoyable things I ever had. After passing across a few streets, I saw the big groceries shop which I went often were right in front of me. I walked into the shop. As usual, I saw Mr. Benison was busied billing the customers while Mrs. Benison was busied nagging her workers whom were working with her so-called ‘slow efficiency’.  I pulled the trolley and started to grab some daily-use products. I bought my dad’s favorite chips and coffee packet. Besides, I also stored for the next couple weeks’ dinner’s ingredients so that I would be able to stay in my room during the weekends to prepare for my oncoming test.

“I’m sorry. Miss, can you move a little?” I heard someone calling at me but I was overly concentrated on my ‘mind-checklist’ which I didn’t noticed I got to hurt somebody. I was shocked when I realized what I had done. The trolley accidentally ran over on a tall, slender guy’s foot.

“Oh My God, I’m really sorry. Are you okay…? I mean your foot.” I was stunned when I saw his agony expression.

“Yea, blood. No big deal.” He smiled while he saw his toe was bleeding.

“Oh my gosh, I’m really sorry. Do you need..? I’ll ask Mr. Benison. Give me a second.” I felt guilty and I think I really should take Tiff’s advice seriously to prevent myself from ‘daydreaming’.

“Is okay. No no no, wait.” I turned my back and I saw his face was full with improbability.

“Huh?” I frowned.

“Emm, is okay.” He smiled and gestured a posture of okay to me. I grinned and stared at him. He was so tall that made me think of that he might be a basketball athletic. He was blonde and with a pair of ocean blue eyes. I could not denied he was a good-looking guy.

“Emm, Mr? Are you sure?” I looked at his feet.

“Call me Ken. Ya, I’m okay.” He smiled again.

“Oh, Ken. Thanks… I’m Raven.”  I grinned.

“Hi, nice to meet you. Thanks? For?” He looked doubt again.

“Oh, thanks for your forgiveness. Nice to meet you in this awkward situation.” I smiled awkwardly. “I was actually thinking something and I accidentally…” I looked at his feet again. “Ya…. and I did it.” I sighed.

He laughed. “Is not that bad to get hurt by a girl and for true, I got the chance to acquaint with a pretty cool girl. Isn’t that awesome?” He grinned.

“You think I’m cool?”

“Yea, pretty much.” He smiled.

“Thanks.” I pushed my trolley to the counter and Ken followed behind me.

“Hey, Raven. Not seeing you in a while huh?” Mr. Benison said while I’m busied shifting the items from the trolley.

“Hey, how are you? Is not that long, Mr. Benison.” I said emotionless.

“Oh, I’m fine. Thanks for asking, is very consider of you.” He finally smiled.

“Emm, I was wondering are you still selling the ‘Smiling Gum’?” I asked.

“Oh, yea, I know why you’re asking that. I’ll take for you after the bill.” He seemed to comprehend.

“Why don’t you take it now so you can bill it together?” I frowned.

“That’s free. I left a few pack for you in the storage. I know you need it every year.” He knew.

“Thanks, you’re really thoughtful.” I smiled appreciatorily.

After credited, I waited Mr. Benison outside of his shop. Simultaneously, I saw Ken walking towards and beckoned at me. I refused to wave because I’m busied taking my items.

“Raven, need some help?” He was as helpful and kind as I thought.

“Thanks but I think I can afford.” I smiled.

“Raven! Here you go. Free of charge.” Mr. Benison handed me the gum and walked off.

“I think you really need some help.” Ken chuckled.

“Well, if you don’t mind for helping.” I thanked him when we set away from the groceries shop.

We didn’t have much conversation on the way back to the florist, because I was busied planning stuffs in my mind. I felt iciness in my heart when I passed by a coffin shop.

“Where are you going?” Ken asked suddenly.

”Florist” I said coolly.

“Oh, is there any special day for you?” I knew he will ask.

“Emm, ya. Nine years after my mom’s dead.”

“I’m sorry.” He looked upset and guilty for asking the wrong question.

“No, I don’t need any apologies.” I grinned.

“So, is that gum, I mean, for you mom?”

“Yea, that’s her favorite gum and also mine.”

“I heard you told the groceries man that’s ‘Smiling Gum’ right?” He was a considerate guy I’d ever met.

“Yea, my mom loves that gum. She used to eat at least one each day, and she smiled…” I started feeling agonized.

“You love your mom a lot, I can feel it.“

“I rejoice to have her as my mom.” I felt proud of her.

“I can feel from your words.” He seemed liked he seen through all my thoughts.

“Oh, really? I think you’re cool now.” I giggled. He smiled and he pointed forward the florist shop.

I bought a bouquet of white roses and went back home. Ken was helpful which he took all my stuffs together with his stuffs that bought from groceries shop. I think I wouldn’t got back home so easily without his kindness.

“Thank you for your help.” I said as I took the key from my bag.

“You’re really welcome. Where should I put this?” He said momentously.

“Oh, Come in. This way” I led him all the way to the kitchen.

“Wow, this picture was really nice.” He noticed it after leaving the things in the kitchen and walked out into the living room.

“Which picture?” I walked into the living room and checked out which picture he was citing.

“This.” He pointed at my mom’s picture. 

“That’s my dad’s favorite too. That was the best picture my dad ever takes.” I sighed.

“It’s really nice. It had totally spread out the feeling of happiness.” Ken said sentimentally.

“You’re funny. My dad would like to hear that.” I chuckled.

“I’m serious. It’s really nice, I like it.” He did a grimace and laughed.

Just then, dad came down. He looked at me then he moved his gaze to Ken. I know he will ask who’s this stranger was but I assumed Ken will introduce himself to him. Just as I said, he did.

“Hi, I’m Ken.” He smiled and beckoned at my dad.

“Hi, who’s this cute guy?” My dad smiled and waved back to him as a courtesy.

“Emm, dad, he’s emm, a guy who I carelessly hurt his feet just now.” Just when I realized  “Oh! I’ll find first-aid for you and I’ll help you wrap the wounds.” I walked off and searched for the first-aid box.  I heard Ken and my dad chattered with laughter in the foyer. I’m glad to hear my dad laugh. It’s been a while since his last laughter arose.

“What are you guys chatting? Dad, you seem happy.” I smiled and looked at the first-aid box, searching for the medicinal liquid and gauze.

“We’re talking about my favorite’s picture of your mom. You know what? He loves that picture too.” He smiled again.

“Ya, he’s pretty cool right? He kinda likes an artist or something.  Come, I help you clean that wound first. It’s pretty serious.” I grinned and I looked serious again.

“I admit that.” My dad grinned. “Well, okay. I need to go Uncle Johnny’s house later. He’s throwing a party.” He grinned.

“Oh, well, have fun then. I’ll be home tonight.” I told him. He nodded as he went upstairs to prepare for the party.

“Aren’t you going?” Ken patted my shoulder while I’m helping cleaning his bleeding wounds.

“No, I don’t like party.” I grimaced.

“Why? Party is fun. Thanks for the binding up.” He smiled.

“No, not for me. You’re welcome.” I took the first-aid box and placed it back.

“Oh, so, what you decide to do tonight?” He gazed at me.

“Emm, probably studying or watching some movies?” I sighed.

“Why don’t you have a date with me, for a dinner?” He smiled

“Emm, I need to prepare for my oncoming test. Hey, you’re new face in here. I mean in Forks.” I sat on the couch randomly.

“Oh, which school you’re in? Ya, I just shifted here couple days ago.”

“Forks High School of course” I smiled “Are you going school soon?”

“Oh, ya. Stupid question.” He chuckled and he continued “Ya, Forks High School.”

“I guess I’ll see you soon then.” I grinned.

“Yea, you will. I think I need to leave now. I’ll be in school in a few days after settling my stuffs.” He stood up and went to the door.

“Ya, nice to see a new face around our school. Bye.”

The house went into a whole silent. I lay stressfully on the couch and switched the television on. Regardless how many channels I switched, there’s only movies that I refused to watch. I switched it off and decided to take a bath. At that moment, I saw a stack of mail on the table. I casually flipped through the whole stack of letters and inadvertently, I recognized a letter that had Jasper home address written on it. I took it and went straight up to my room. I opened the letter from the tip of the envelope curiously. It was an invitation card; I had been invited to some sort of party. I opened the card and read carefully, which wrote…

‘ DEAR Raven,

 You’d been sincerely invited to a party which will held on 26 January at Jasper’s place. 7p.m.

 Farewell party OF Jasper Whine.'                                                                                                                                            

 ‘Farewell party’. I thought to myself, why didn’t Jasper tell me before he planned this party? He used to tell me everything before he did.

“Bling...Bling…” My message ringtone rang. I grabbed my phone as I saw that was a message sent from Jasper.

‘Hey. Did you receive the invitation? It was Amanda’s masterpiece. I hope you will come. Jasper.’ I felt mad after reading the message.

STOP! What am I thinking? I’m not supposed to be jealous about Amanda but I can feel my madness on Jasper....

What am I gonna do?

Thanks for __ Reading!

TO BE CONTINUE ....