CHAPTER 21: Troublemaker

I slammed the mathematics textbook on the table, making a loud noise. Running my fingers through my hair, frustrated by his repetitive behaviour. Looking in Henry’s direction with narrowed eyes, I spoke, “I can’t do this anymore.”

And after that, I got up and began to walk toward my room. Henry’s footsteps followed me and he called, “Please, I promise to understand faster the next time.”

I turned to him swiftly and yelled out, “Understand faster? I have been trying to explain it from the last two hours.”

“I am a little slow.” he spoke, but with shame but like it was a thing to be proud of.

I crossed my arms over my chest and said, “It was simple multiplication, Henry. And I bet you have studied that before and not the first time in your sophomore year.”

“I promise, I have forgotten how to do it.” he said in fake innocence.

“I am not dumb, kid. I know you’re doing so on purpose, to annoy me.” I stated and turned around again, only to be stopped by his whispering voice again.

“Now that you already know, Hitler.” I turned to him to see his shocked face and stared at him angrily.

“I heard that, idiot.” I said in a firm voice.

But he being the person unaffected by any kind of insult, I had to finally give up and say, “That’s it, I’ll talk to Gran right now and tell her that I won’t be able to tutor you anymore.” I paused and then continued in a much higher voice, “Because you’re a major pain in the arse.”

He looked at me with confusion and asked, “Are you British?”

Surprised by his strange question, I had no choice but to answer, “No.”

“Then why did you say ‘arse’?” he asked, staring at me to get the answer as fast as possible.

Arching my eyebrow, I asked, “So you know that ‘arse’ is a British slang but not how to multiply?”

He just shrugged his shoulder and made a face which I have been tortured by from the three weeks of tutoring that annoying boy.

Shaking my head disappointedly at his behaviour, I walked out of the apartment and in front of Gran’s and rang the bell.

“Please Jade, don’t do it. My mom will kill me if she’ll come to know.” Henry begged, while I stood there with confident of not backing out.

“Start creating your bucket list then.” I spoke.

“You’re so mean.” he cried out, stomping his foot on the floor.

“And you’re so dead.” I said with amusement, and that was the moment when the door finally opened.

Gran’s sleepy face appeared, making me feel guilty for waking her up.

“Sorry Gran, were you asleep?” I asked when she opened the door for us.

“Oh no. It was right that you came as I had to wake up during this time, you acted like an alarm clock.” she chuckled. I smiled along with her and then entered in, with Henry following me awkward, still making pleading faces to convince me.

“So, how can I help you, Cookie?” Gran asked, sitting on her chair with a mug of tea.

“I want this kid dead.” I spoke, pointing at Henry. But seemed like it was too surprising for Gran as she lost her grip on the mug and it fell on the floor, breaking into large pieces.

“Okay, that came out to rude.” I stated awkwardly, staring at the now broken mug. “But what I meant is that he keeps annoying me on purpose, Gran. Even when he knows the answer, he acts dumb and makes me to explain it hundreds of times.”

Gran looked at Henry and shook her head, “That is bad, Henry. She is your teacher, can’t you behave?”

“She’s lying. I am the best student she could ever have. She is the one with zillions of problems because she acts like Hitler.” Henry snapped out, making my eyes to pop out.

“Oh really?” I said, crossing my arms. It came out in a little British accent, might be an effect of spending time with Ian.

“Oh really.” he spoke in a gagging manner.

“Who do you trust more Gran? Me or him?” I asked, looking straight at her.

“You.” she spoke quickly.

“Heard that?” I said to Henry in the same manner in which he replied me previously.

“Granny!” he cried out.

While I enjoyed my victory, Gran spoke politely, “I’ve seen you since you were ten, Henry. I know you’re a big liar.”

He stomped his foot on the ground again and yelled, “Why are you guys scheming against me

”Enough, Henry. You’ve been very indiscipline, I need to tell it to your mother.” Gran announced, walking outside of her apartment.

And then the real drama began.

_

_

I was sitting with Kacie after our Marketing class while she told me about what she was going to do for the weekend.

“So, what about you? Will you go home this time?” Kacie asked, as she got up from her seat and began to walk aside of me.

“Yes, finally. It was all quite messed up the previous weekends so I didn’t get time but this I will.” I announced smiling, thinking about spending time with dad and Sagy again.

“Aw, someone misses their home.” Kacie teased, chuckling and making me do that with her as well.

“So, what about your club activity? When does it start with Ryan?” she asked as we walked toward the football field to watch the first match of the league.

“We have to start the next week.” I informed.

“Have fun with your soon to be boyfriend, again.” she said amusedly, making me surprise by her words.

I stopped at my place and asked, “What?”

She stopped as well and then turned to me. She shrugged her shoulder and spoke, “Come on, you two have strong chemistry, you two are ought to get back together. I wish you guys do.”

“And then what about you?” I asked, trying to change the awkward topic.

“What about me?” she spoke, as we began to walk again.

“What about your love life? Didn’t find anyone?” I asked.

“I have many in my view but there are two guys who attracts me the most but I don’t have any chance with anyone of them.” she spoke sadly.

“Aw, no, you definitely have a chance. Anyways, who are those guys?” I asked, placing my hand on her shoulder to comfort the poor girl.

“David Beckham and Brad Pitt.“ she pouted and then burst out laughing when I slapped her shoulder for the stupid answer.

“And for a second I thought you were being serious.” I stated, adding a chuckling at the end.

“Can’t deny those two are fine pieces.” she chuckled.

“That’s true. Too hot to be true.” I said.

“Yep, too hot.” she spoke, and then we began to laugh because we were having such a silly conversation.

After taking our places on the chairs, we sat their anxiously, waiting for the teams to show up. Today’s match didn’t include our college’s team but two outside teams.

“Hey guys.” a familiar voice called from behind. We turned our head and found May making her way toward us. Surprised by her cheerfulness and fine behaviour towards me again, I whispered to Kacie, “What’s up with her?”

“I have no idea.”  she replied.

“Sorry, I am late.” May smiled,”Hey Jade.”

“Um, hi May.” I stammered.

“Sorry about that day. I acted a little silly.” she spoke in one breath. Smiling at the girl, I spoke, “It’s alright.”

Even when I knew nothing was alright and her sudden behaviour change was the reason behind it.

After everyone settled down, the game finally began and everyone got too stuck up in watching the two teams, even when none of them was ours.

Stupidity and a total waste of time.

Till the time the half time was finished, I was too exhausted to watch the game anymore so I decided to take a little rest from the game by getting to eat something.

I got up from my seat and began to walk my way to the food stall which was set up because of the spectators of the match.

I pulled out my phone on my way as I felt the vibration in my pocket. No sound of course as the place was too crowded and noisy for a phone’s tone to be audible.

Pressing the 5 new messages section, I read them all.

Three of them were from Sage and Zac, and the last two from Dillan.

From Dillan,

Are you all set to leave tomorrow morning? I will be unable to go this time.

Strange, I thought as he never missed a chance to run back home. What could have happen all of a sudden?

I clicked the last unread message and was surprised to know what was written in it.

From Dillan,

I am selected in the football team. Have to practise this weekend.

I thought he was ‘too cool’ to be in the team. Plus, he said he had to quit because of his childhood injury then what happened to that?

To get rid of all the confusion, I immediately called him.

“Hello Jade.” he spoke cheerfully.

“What the hell Dillan? Why are you in the team all of a sudden? What happened to your injury?” I spat out quickly.

“Whoa, easy Jojo.” he chuckled. “Actually what happened is that there was an empty place in the team and the coach asked me if I would be able to fill it up as the league has started already. So I said yes.”

“But you declined the position before, why now then?”

“I thought over it and then acted, Jade. Don’t worry about me. I talked to the doctor and he said if I play with a little caution, I’ll be fit and fine on the field.” he said causally.

Sighing, I spoke, ”A free position just before the league?”

“Yeah, some player had some injury so he had to quit.” he informed.

“Okay. Well, what can I say, congratulations and best of luck for your practise but take care.” I said, smiling.

“Thank you and don’t worry, I’ll be fine. And I’ll come to meet you tonight before your trip back home.”

“Cool, later then.”

“Bye.”

“Bye.”

I placed the phone back in my pocket and thought to myself, ‘Hope everything go fine with Dillan.”

_

_

After having a full cup of ice tea, my bladder was filled and I couldn’t handle the pressure so I had to use the bathroom.

I walked outside the bathroom after feeling all fresh and free. I was walking happily through the silent corridor when I heard someone’s footstep behind me. I turned around but found no one, like it happens in the horror movies.

Gulping, I began to walk again but then the sound of footsteps filled my ears again.

“Who is there?” I asked.

“Never turn around when you hear a voice in a deserted place.” a familiar voice said. I titled my head in the direction on the voice and sighed as I saw his silhouette.

“What are you doing here alone?” I asked, while he walked toward me in the dark corridor.

“I’m not alone anymore.” Ryan said with amusement but as he came near me, I could finally see his figure clearly and gasped.

“What happened to your shoulder?” I asked, pointing at his shoulder which was supported by a sling.

“Oh that.” he grinned and the continued, “I dislocated it.”

“Why?”

“Because I enjoy the pain.” he spoke sarcastically. Rolling his eyes, he began again, “It was accident during the practise. I tripped and injured it.”

That was the moment when the bulb of my brain glowed up and I murmured to myself, “So he is the injured person Dillan was talking about.”

“You still talk to yourself?” he chuckled.

I narrowed my eyes at him to stare at him with anger.

“So, what I was thinki-“ but before he could finish, sound of heavy footsteps filled the corridor, making me terrified for a second.

“Run.” Ryan whispered. Grabbing my arm, he ran me along with him.

“Why are we running?” I asked, confused by the sudden action, but didn’t get any reply except of his hysterical laughter.

“You are officially the craziest guy in the world.” I commented.

“Thank you very much, I’m honoured.” he chuckled and took a sharp turn, almost making me to trip.

“Can’t you be a little careful? I could have tripped back there.” I yelled.

He turned his head a little to look at me while running and asked, “Do you think I would have let you get hurt?”

“Umm, you hurt yourself, how can I trust you with myself?” I asked.

“Point.” he spoke and finally stopped at a corner.

“Why did we stop?” I asked, breathing heavily.

“Why? Were you enjoying the run?” he asked, adding a chuckle at the end.

“I am an asthmatic, I never enjoy the run.” I said.

“Sorry about that but we had to run or we would be dead by now.” he stated.

I looked at him and asked in confusion, “How?” and then realized, “Did you get in some trouble again?”

“I may have said something really offensive to the rival team.” he grinned mischievously.

“What did you say?”

“That they all are just big dumb jocks who are going to suck balls at the league.” he spoke.

I couldn’t stop myself from chuckling which resulted in him joining me as well.

“Why are you such a troublemaker, Ryan?” I asked, my breath getting stable by then.

“At least it gains you a few laughs, Cupcake. Be thankful for it.” he grinned.

“But seriously, you ran away from them, that was a coward move.” I said in a teasing tone.

“Have you seen those guys? They are all six foot six inches tall, I have a dislocated shoulder.” he announced.

I chuckled at his miserable situation and shook my head.

“And hey, you have to drive me home this weekend.” he spoke, making my mouth to open wide.

“What?” I gasped.

He shrugged his fine shoulder and spoke, “I am injured and the doctor said not to drive but I told him with pride, ‘No worries Doc, my dear Raspberry will do that for me.”

Groaning loudly, I nodded my head which made him to grin widely.

What else could have I done? He needed help!

Uh, a drive with the troublemaker himself, it was sure that there were many troubles waiting for me.

********

Drive with Ryan! Lots of Ryan and Jade waiting for you in the next updates! :)

Sorry about the delay in the update though!

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