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Chapter 7 — The Worst Day of My Life

If my life was some kind of a fictional story, this chapter would have been entitled “The Worst Day of my Life”. Those pages, I would gladly skip if I were to read. If you were me, you would have preferred to be in a coma just so you could save yourself from the suffering that was about to come.

Sadly, I could not have known in advance what was bound to happen and secondly, this is real life. Not just some form of entertainment that could be revised at will.

Becky waved a hand as I walked away. Her house was straight ahead while mine was a turn to the left. My steps were heavy as I was preoccupied yet again. I hated thinking this much. I wished I could stop before I went mad, but couldn’t.

I heard footsteps behind me; light, striding and slow. Thinking it was Becky who might have changed her mind and decided to finally probe me with her questions, I spun to convince her to save her curiosity for tomorrow. Perhaps then, I would have already thought of some believable alibis.

To my surprise, Leon Walden stood before me, both hands in his pockets throwing a piercing look at my direction.

“Are you following me?” I said trying to be as casual as possible.

Leon grunted, a sneer forming on his irritatingly flawless face. It was as though the overly thick glasses, his braces and woolen cap were always invisible to my eyes and I couldn’t force myself to see him as Leonard Dunn anymore. That might have even been more convenient.

“Do I look like I was following you?” He smiled in an insulting way.

I hesitated when the wave of realization came crashing through me. He didn’t need to be so arrogant. I knew what I am. “Well… why are you here then?”

“I’m going home.”

“Really?” I challenged him.

He shook his head as though he saw something funny on my face and started to step ahead. I watched him absent-mindedly as he treaded lightly and stopped in front of my house. Leon took a quick glimpse at me then headed to the house across the street that used to be the Robson family’s home.

My jaw dropped in disbelief that I did not worry anymore if I would look like a total idiot.

Before he closed the door of his home, he mouthed unobtrusively with a smile. “I told you so.”

Upon reaching my room I threw my things mindlessly and changed into a pair of pajamas. Normally, I would stay locked inside my room where my mom wouldn’t pester me or just so I could not here her constant muttering about stuff that I did and didn’t do. But today, I was glad to risk my peace to find answers.

“Mom,” I called as I practically jumped from the stairs. “You don’t happen to know who moved in across the street, do you?”

A smile formed on her face. That couldn’t be good.

Even in the physical aspect, we didn’t have very much in common. She has big blue eyes, wavy strawberry blond locks and thin lips. Every detail of her features was gentle, except her voice which seemed too livid, not to mention, shrill most of the time. “Why so suddenly curious?” She was in a good mood.

“No specific reason,” I lied. She didn’t seem to notice. Good.

“You’ll get to meet them sometime soon.”

“Err, okay.”

“I invited them over for dinner.”

“Really, w-why?” I blurted with utter incredulity.

“Why not?” A smile curved her lips once more as she concentrated on drying a wine glass.

“You never invite people over,”  I gritted through my teeth.

“That’s because we didn’t have new neighbors. Not until now.”

I ran to the kitchen in panic. Everything was stunningly spotless. A set of four wine glasses that rarely took the trip out of the cupboard were lined in front of me along with a bottle of red wine that my mom had kept for ages, it got me wondering if they ever expire.

The roomed smelled of meat roasting and thyme and parsley while the stove sizzled as the risotto cooked.

“Why all the fuss?” I hissed. “Come on, mother,” I call her mother whenever I get exasperated about her antics. It was hysterical! Why would I have to endure Leon Walden’s presence in my own house!? Am I being punished for all the wrongdoings I committed since birth? “They could be terrorists or kidnappers… or smugglers for all we know. You barely knew that those people! In fact, you have no idea who they are!”

Mom kept humming to herself then lifted her gaze up to me. In her normal days, she would have matched the octave of my tone, or narrate all the mistakes I’ve done for fifteen years, but she was in such high spirits. She was enjoying every bit of it.

“Then we would get to know them tonight.”

Touché.

I was sure I could not persuade her to cancel the dinner.

“Fine, but don’t expect me to be down here when that happens.” It was a selfish move, but the thought of the tormenting rapport between Leon and me churned my stomach.

“Why?” She smiled again.

“I think I have indigestion.” I retorted bitterly.

“I have just the thing,” she replied pensively before she went rummaging in the cupboard and finally found a jar of herbal tea.  She heated the teapot on the stove then threw two tea bags to steep in the water. I watched silently in resignation. I knew her stubbornness could not be opposed by reason.

She set a cup on a saucer and poured steaming hot tea in it, pushed the cup to me and glared as fiercely as her features permit. “Be down here at seven or you’ll be grounded for life.” Seemingly pleased with herself, Mom resumed on stirring her risotto with a small grin on her face.

I stomped my way to my room, forced to carry the cup of tea with me, slammed the door and thrashed violently on my bed until I got really exhausted.

After a long soak at the tub (my fingers were already pale and crinkled when I got out), I changed into a gray long sleeved shirt paired with a navy blue jogging pants, dried my hair, then tied it up in a messy bun.

The tea had gone cold but I gulped it down nervously. I was amazed how it calmed me almost at once. The fluttering in my stomach seized for now.

It wasn’t long before I heard the laughing and the exchange of small pleasantries down stairs. They finally came. But what was their motive? Moving close to the school seemed reasonable but was it just a coincidence that they bought the house across the street?

Reluctantly, I trudged to my door to sneak a quick look at the guests and prayed to God that my mom forgot her threats and let me live in peace.

“Sarah, come over here sweetie!” There was a melody in my mom’s voice that terrified me. She’s insane.

I headed down the stairs, almost tip-toeing as I did. There they were; Leon and Arthur at my door step. Fighting back the urge to dry-heave, I managed a wry smile.

“Let me take care of those.” Mom assisted them as they shrugged away their coats, and gladly hung them in the closet, though I didn’t see the point of wearing jackets when they lived practically across the street.

Arthur wore gray slacks and a beige turtle neck that emphasized his buffed stature. I immediately saw how Mom stared at him. She was checking him out! My mouth almost fell open. So that was why she was in such a good mood.

Ugh. I rolled my eyes.

Arthur smiled at her. “Thank you for inviting us over.”

“The pleasure is mine,” said Mom. Cliché. “Shall we proceed to the living room?” She motioned with her hand to lead them.

Arthur nodded, then seeming to have caught a glimpse of me, beamed fondly. “Hello, Sarah. Nice to see you again.”

“You too,” I replied smiling back. I find it surprising that I actually meant what I just said.

He perched gently on the couch beckoning Leon who trailed after him. Then my heart raced.

Mom shifted her gazed to me, bewilderment in her face. “You know each other?”

I sighed. “Well, we sort of met before,” I said remembering how we actually met.

Arthur gave an apologetic smile at me. “Yes. Len-len goes to the same high school.”

I blurted a sudden chuckle. Len-len? Isn’t that a girl name? Who could have believed it? Leon Walden, superstar, heartthrob, was called Len-len!

Mom shot a few sharp glares at me as I tried to restrain myself from laughing harder. If this had happened while I was drinking water, I might have spit it out to everyone’s faces.

Leon’s face flushed with embarrassment. He averted his eyes and stared angrily at his knuckles. I couldn’t quite compose myself so I just pretended to cough a little, managing a decent façade in the end.

“Actually Leon—ard and me sit next to each other in class, Mom.” I turned to Leon waiting for any validation but he opted to keep his silence.

Mom finally broke the silence that lingered for a while. “So, who wants dinner?” she said standing up to head to the kitchen.

“I’ll set the table,” I volunteered but Mom waved a hand.

“No need dear.” She’s being ridiculously charming today. It was almost creepy.

“Let me help you.” Arthur followed her, folding up his sleeves then winked as he left me and Leon in the living room.

I stood there foolishly fidgeting with my hands, watching his reaction through the corner of my eye. It was awkward.

He finally moved, adjusting his thick glasses on the bridge of his nose, taking a quick glance at me through his lashes then looked away. My heart almost jumped out of my throat, racing. It was the most dreadful feeling. My stomach stirred in protest and I had to hold on to the baluster that lined the flight of stairs, to keep my feet steady.

Suddenly, my mind raced. They’ve come for my mom this time! And it was all my fault. Anger started to flicker inside me again, fixing my eyes on Leon. I didn’t realize that a tear rolled down my cheek as I glowered at him.

He met my gaze, appearing startled at my sudden emotional outburst.

“W-why—“stuttered Leon as he hurried to me desperately trying to figure out what I was thinking.

I almost choked as I tried to speak, and then fell silent. The realization that these people were potentially dangerous struck me. And suddenly, I feared for my mother’s safety.

“Why?” I croaked, mirroring his words though I did not intend to mock him at all. “I… I promised I won’t tell anyone. Why my mother? Please… spare her.” I mumbled in between the stifling hushed sobs.

I was not normally emotionally fragile. If it was just me involved, I would bicker and fight back to death fearlessly, but the thought of my mother being in jeopardy because of the mess I made unnerved me to the bones.

“Not her… not my mom,” I pleaded almost a whisper. “I wouldn’t tell anyone, I swear. Just… just—“

He looked me in the eyes, hesitant, remorseful, appearing as afraid I was, panic evident on his face then gently clasped his hands on my shoulder.

“Sshhh…” he hushed, closing his eyes as if to calm me, the tip of his face leaning very delicately on my forehead.

I froze. I forgot to breathe. Panic gripped me. My stomach lurched; my heart skipped a few beats, queasiness took a hold of me. I heaved.

I could not remember what happened next… or at least I refused to.

Mom came rushing to my aid. “Oh my…” She took my shoulders from Leon who looked petrified and startled at the same time. “When you said you have indigestion, I didn’t think you were serious!”

I shook her hands away and let myself tumble on the couch, mistakenly stepping on the pool of sick on the floor. “I’m fine Mom,” I said rather surprised. I did feel better.

“Are you sure? You look rather pale?” Arthur said worriedly. There was no way he was the bad guy I was quite terrified of. Gerald, maybe. But Arthur?

I managed a weak smile hoping to convince everyone. “I’m always pale. I’m feel better now, thanks Arthur.”

My eyes caught Leon who stared at his own pants. “Oh God,” I blurted.

He was wet from knee down possibly from the tea I just hurriedly drank before I ran downstairs. Ugh. I felt blood rushing to my face, I must have turned scarlet. If could shrink or vanish on thin air, I would.

“Let me fix that for you, dear.” Mom tried to pat the bottom of his pants with the kitchen towel she was holding but was apparently unsuccessful.

“It’s fine. I’ll just run across the street to change,” he replied politely, a hint of disbelief on his face as he turned to my direction.

“I think Sarah needs a good night’s rest.” Arthur said waiting for my validation.

I nodded hesitantly, thankful for his intervention. I couldn’t bear the humiliation any longer. More importantly, I was too ashamed to face Leon. All I wanted to do was to lock myself in my room and deliberately bang my head on the wall until I finally forgot everything that happened today, especially tonight. If amnesia is real, I wretchedly needed it this instant.

Mom walked me to my room silently. I could sense the worry in her eyes. It was new to me. “I’m fine Mom. I think I’m just a bit bushed,” I assured her.

She nodded though unconvinced. “Do you want anything to eat? I could—“

“I’m fine, really.”

I was relieved when Mom finally closed the door. I closed my eyes tightly but the picture of my very recent blunder flashed in the blackness under my lids over and over and over again. Hyperventilating, I restrained myself from thrashing my limbs to exhaust all the frustration that has built up inside me.

I thought I could explode.

Focusing on the light chatter downstairs, I closed my eyes again, covering my face with warm blankets as though doing such would hide my shame. Ugh. Can I just die this once?

Arthur chuckled softly. Mom giggled with him. They must have been waiting for Leon to come back.

Sleep hadn’t come over me. How long had it been? An hour? Two? Leon’s piercing eyes, the touch of his chin on my forehead, his shocked face flashed inside my head every time I tried to close my eyes. I buried my face on my pillow, annoyed, embarrassed, perturbed and angry at the same time. I would go mad soon.

The tinkling sound of cutlery against porcelain plates and the chink of wine glass diminished gradually. I wondered if the dinner was over. I could still hear the faint outbursts of pent-up laughter, probably in the living room. They must be having a great time.

Faint footsteps began to grow more perceivable. I could tell it was getting near.

My door swung gently and before the intruder was able to enter, I buried my face under the thick sheets again and pretended to sleep, peeking through the crevices of the ruffled blanket.

Leon!

 I tried my hardest to keep my breathing slow and rhythmic, but it was more as though I was having a seizure.

He wore a pair of sweats now, midnight blue with white stripes on the sides, elongating his tall outline. He seemed to stare at me for a while, probably, to verify that I was indeed asleep. He stepped closer until he was less than a foot from the edge of my bed.

My knee twitched involuntarily. I prayed to God that he didn’t notice. I thought I heard a soft laughter from him, as he left discretely then closed my door with an inconspicuous thud.

Out of reflex more than out of impulse, I sat mechanically gasping for breath. My theory became even more factual. I therefore conclude; the nearer I am to Leon Walden, the shorter my life would be. My approach was systematical. I did not need further experiments to validate my hypothesis.

I have got to stay away from Leon Walden.

End of story.

I glanced at my clock. It was already ten in the evening. I grabbed my diary to at least vent my frustration in it, and as I did, noticed an apple sitting on my side table. An involuntary force curled the corner of my lips.

The smile did not fade as I wrote.

Leon finally talked to me today, but still, when he spoke, I hurled a chair at him... in my imagination. I wrote some other things too private to divulge and ended the entry with a smile.

P.S. He gave me an apple.

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Writer's notes:

I'd like to thank everyone who read this chapter of Life As Told By Nerdy. I'm looking forward to hearing your comments. Please let me know what you think. I really loved writing this story and I know it has a lot of room to improve so please be gentle (haha).

Love Lots,

Shim <3