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PART THREE | PEANUT BUTTER AND
JELLY SANDWICHES WITH A BANANA
When I was a kid, I loved to play hide and seek with Oscar and Emily. Sometimes Dad joined our game if he had free time. How about Mom? I thought she was working in the kitchen, baking some cupcakes.
Today is the day when I wake up in the morning feeling so excited to face the day. Getting up from my bed one hour earlier than usual; taking my bath longer to make sure all the dirt swept away from my body.
I grab my black cardigan and rush downstairs to the kitchen. Oscar is sitting on the barstool with a mountain of Frosted Flakes in his bowl. His eyes focus on the phone screen in his left hand, ignoring his surroundings. A trace of spilled milk is spotted on the counter in front of him. I bet he doesn't bother to wipe it anytime soon. Mom smears a strawberry jam on the soft whole wheat bread, she smiles and greets me when I saunter into the room.
I search for the peanut butter jam on the rack; to find it is already half full. Taking the jam out from the jar with a knife, I smear it all over the bread. My hand outstretches to grab the strawberry jam in front of Mom and smearing it on top of the peanut layer. After finishing my typical peanut butter and jelly sandwiches I pack it on my lunch box. I snatch a banana and put it on the container.
"What are you doing?" Oscar asks, finally litfting his eyes from the screen.
"Packing my lunch!" I say cheerfully, too happy for his liking. He grumbles something I couldn't manage to understand.
"Someone is in a good mood this morning." Mom glances at me while pouring her morning coffee. "Something's special?" she digs, a grin plastered on her face.
"It's just a good day," I reply, giving her a wink. I am really in a good mood, I guess. Mom smiles and hands me a plate of strawberry sandwich she made.
"You're going to school with me," Oscar informs me while scooping his spoon full of cereals. I cocks my eyebrow at Mom.
"Got a flat tire yesterday, remember?" Mom answers my confusion. I nod. That is the reason why Jeremy gives me a ride home.
How could I forget?
"Dad will be coming home tonight. We are having a family dinner at 7," Mom announces. It has been 2 weeks since Dad departs to Tanzania. He is an epidemiologist. His latest project aims to tackle malnutrition cases in Africa. He really loves his work. And because of that, he travels a lot.
I swallow a piece of my sandwich before asking, "Will Emily come home too?" It has been a week since she is away to London for a fashion event. Not that she is always in the house; she is living on her flats in New York.
"Yes, Honey. She'll be home as well," Mom answers to my question.
"She has to. It's Dad's birthday, anyway," Oscar adds. Now, his phone is shoved in his trouser pocket.
Finishing our breakfast, Oscar and I get up and say goodbye to Mom. Oscar is running his coffee shop in our neighborhood. He is working so hard on the business. I often visit him and invite my friends to hang or to study there. He usually gets up early to prepare the shop. But today is an exception.
"I asked Marc to open the shop today," he tells me when I ask about the shop. Marc is one of his colleagues. He is a friendly guy Oscar met at University back then. He is not only friendly; he is good at making coffee too.
Hmm, I am craving for a cup of cappuccino.
As I arrive at school, I proceed to my locker. Meeting Julia and Miko in the hallway. They are bickering about the party tonight. Julia starts to convince me to come like she always does. But I have my strong excuse today to skip the party.
"It's my Dad's birthday. Sorry, Juls." I say with a huge grin on my face. Julia rolls his eyes.
"Someday I'll drag you with me to the party," Julia exclaims. She says I need to have fun a little. But, how can I have fun if surrounded by drunken teenagers? I have more options to have fun without getting hurt.
Our conversation about the party is distracted by Candice and her loud voice. She waves at us when she catches our attention. Candice jogs toward our direction and bear-hugging the three of us. She screams, "good morning!" right to our ears. This is how my morning routine at school.
By the end of high school, I might be deaf.
Time is ticking slowly when you are waiting. It is the last period before lunch break. I am wondering where is Jeremy's secret den during the class. Is it in the back of the school? Or somewhere hidden behind the gymnasium? I don't know, I never wander around. The feeling makes me giddy about it. I was about to jump when the bell blasts. The sign of my long-awaited lunch break.
Here we go!
I gather my books and stand up as soon as the teacher dismisses the class, when a hand hugs my shoulder.
"Let's go to the cafeteria!" Candice drags me out of the classroom. I think you've realized how cheerful she is by now. I stop her before she pushes me further.
"I need to go somewhere else, Candice," I say, feeling bad for refusing her.
She frowns, "where do you wanna go?"
Jeremy's voice comes to my mind.
Don't tell anyone.
"Library," I say as quickly as I could, "I have to borrow some books." I add my little white lie. Candice seems convinced. She gives me a nod, "okay, take care. Do you want me to bring you some food?" she asks.
"No, thanks. I've packed sandwiches and banana this morning."
I bid Candice goodbye and go to my locker. Feeling grateful Julia and Miko do not join the conversation. It is harder to lie in front of many people. I am not used to lying to them anyway. I put my books back on my locker and grab my sack lunch. Walking outside the building toward the field my heart is pounding faster inside my chest as I get nearer to the field.
The field is empty. No one hangs in the field at this hour. They're occupying the cafeteria or cluttering in the hallway. Suddenly, I feel uneasy.
What if he doesn't remember?
What if he canceled our deal?
What if he doesn't mean it? That he is just joking around.
My worries fade away when I find him sitting on the bleachers. He wears a white cotton shirt and chinos. An earphone plugged his ears, his hand is holding an iPod. I walk closer to him. He doesn't aware of my presence until I stand in front of him. Blocking his view. He grins from ear to ear when he sees me.
"Hi," I say. He takes his earphone off.
"Hi," He responds, "I thought you wouldn't come."
"I have to convince Candice first," I say. He gets up from the bench. Now, he is hovering me. He is standing very close, I could smell his scent. His citrusy scent.
"Let's go, Tara-Jane." He leads the way. I follow his broad steps with my little steps. We walk crossing the field to the back part of the school. A neglected old school bus parked there. Its yellow-colored paint starts to fade and peel here and there.
Jeremy motions me to the front of the bus. Without any hesitation, he opens the door and hops inside the bus. "C'mon." He extends his hand, asking for my hand. I grab it and entering the old bus. It is stuffy inside, the interior is rusty. He leads me to the back of the bus. I am surprised when we find a hole leading to the outside. He crouches down, "c'mere." Once again he grabs my hand and leads me through the hole.
We are outside the bus now. The place is surrounded by bushes and trees made it impossible to recognize from the other side. Jeremy sits on the rock and staring at me. "This is my hidden den," he declares, his eyes sparkle with excitement.
I sit in front of him, the fabric of my jeans is touching the rough surface of the stone. "How could you find this?" I ask, still starstruck by the hidden place.
"I just found out this place last year." He pauses, "when I feel I wanna disconnect myself with the world." He sounds bitter when he says that.
Is it because of his ex-girlfriend who died last year?
I have no guts to bring up the topic right now. "Let's eat, then. I've made you a sandwich," I announce with a happy voice. "And a banana, if you want," I add.
"I'd love to," he says. His mood brightens when I mention the food. He grabs the sandwich and takes a large bite, "Mmh, this is good." He closed his eye while munching the sandwich. He finishes his sandwich in three bites. Then, he grabs the banana and starts to peel.
"You eat like a monster," I comment. He responds with a grin, "I am a big boy."
"Do you like my den?" He asks, then shoving the last piece of banana flesh onto his mouth. His cheeks are bulking as he chews it.
"This is cool," I answer while chewing my sandwich. He smiles cheekily and watches me. I feel my face blushes under his gaze and tuck my hair behind my ear to cover my nervousness.
"What's that?" Jeremy points to my right. I crane my neck to the direction he points. But, I couldn't comprehend anything special. All of sudden, Jeremy grabs my wrist and brings the sandwich close to his mouth. He steals a bite of my sandwich. I gasp by his sudden movement. Or it is because of the sudden contact he made.
"How dare you!" I exclaim, feeling deceived. He lets out an amused chuckle.
"Bring me some again. I like it," he says. I stick my tongue out as a response.
"Please," he pleads. I laugh at his childish behavior. He is so cute and cheeky today.
"Okay," I say finally, being the good person I am. Besides, I wouldn't mind meeting him again. He clenches his fist up in the air, celebrating his victory.
***
I really enjoy myself while writing this story, I hope you feel the same. Thank you for reading this. Leave me your comments and if you don't mind vote me! Stay safe, stay sane.
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p.s. gif from leoasromeo on tumblr
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