Chapter 2: Raining In My Mind
I slowly opened the door of our house and closed it. Mom must have heard coz she asked if that was me.
"Leigh, is that you?" mom asked from the kitchen. "You didn't go to school?"
"Yes, mom," I answered back sadly. "I'll just be in my room."
"Ok, lunch will be served any minutes now," she shouted back. I smelled the sweet aroma of her macaroni soup. But I don't feel like eating.
"Ok," I said and went up to my room. I clutched the teddy in my arms.
The sadness in my eyes can't take it any longer. My aching heart was
booming. Suddenly, hot tears went down
on my cheeks.
"Oh, Bob," I whispered to the bear. "Why do you have to leave me this way?"
Shucks! I feel miserable. I thought to myself.
I don't know what's this inside I feel for him. Am I in love with him? Why do I have to miss him so badly? Will he be my friend forever? Oh...
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"Leigh, Leigh," my mom woke me up a few hours later. I looked up and saw that it was all ready dark outside my window. I slept the whole afternoon.
"Leigh," mom called me up again. "Are you ok? Are you sick? You didn't even eat lunch today."
"Huh?" I opened my nauseated eyes. "I'm fine mom,really."
"What's wrong?" mom asked. "You didn't even go to school today."
"Nothing, I'm just too tired that's all."
"Are you sure?"
"Yep," but my voice sounded uncertain.
"Oh, honey," mom looked at me with symphathy. "I understand how bad for you it felt when Bob left but he'll be back after 3 months."
"3 long months," I elongated.
"It's not that bad, after all. You still have many friends. Don't concentrate on one," mom adviced.
"Yeah, I know, mom, thanks," I smiled. "I just miss Bob, that's all."
"Ok, if that's what you say, but I want you to keep your butt off that bed. Get your ass and keep movin," mom joked.
"Ok, mom, I will," I said.
"Ok, Ill be just downstairs if you need me," mom stood.
"Thanks, mom," I replied.
Then, I returned back to the covers.
Maybe, mom's right. I need some time to move on, I thought to myself.
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Tuesday morning, I walked my way to school. It was such a great day, the sun is up, birds were flying and the sky is clear. My first time to notice what a great day God has given me. I don't seem to notice it before maybe because Bob and I used to talk on our way to school about different things.
I wonder what Bob's up to? I thought to myself. Sunday night he called. They were in Germany, it's morning there, and he called to say their first gig there was great. I was glad to hear his voice again but still there's the sadness in my heart.
Anyway, I reminded myself. It's time to make new friends.
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"Hi, Leigh," Carol, my classmate, greeted me, when I stepped inside our homeroom.
"Hi," I said. I remembered she was there at the guys' farewell party.
"How are you feeling? I mean..."
"I'm fine," I looked back at her. I know what she was about to say, anyway. I sat beside her.
"Well, I'm glad to hear that," Carol went on. "After Bo..."
"I'm ok, Carol, really," I answered her. I don't want to hear Bob's name or else I'll start crying again.
"OK, if that's what you say."
I nodded. Then, silence.
"So," she continued. "Do you want to spend lunch with us?"
I looked at her. I felt happy, she offered, but I said, "It depends."
"Why?"
"Nothing," I just shrugged. "I just wanted to know who 'us' are, if that's ok with you?"
Carol laughed a hearty laugh, showing off her dimples. "Oh, you mean, us? The gals?"
"Yeah," I nodded.
"Ok, there's Michelle, Liza and Annie."
Not bad. To think those girls are popular, but they're really nice, too, not snobby as Ronnie and her gang.
"Ok, sure no problem," I smiled at her.
"Ok, great!"
Wow, I made friends easily, atlast! I smiled to myself. Bob would be really happy for me.
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By lunch time, Carol introduced me to her friends- Michelle, Liza and Annie.
They're all so nice. We exchanged hello's and hi's.
"Hi, girlfriend," Annie smiled as she shook my hand.
This girl is really trendy. Annie was wearing a white victorian 3/4 lace blouse and light blue capri pants with white shoes.
"Hello, Annie, nice to meet you," I said. She had a nicely permed hair.
I sat right next to Carol. And started eating my pasta with white sauce.
I figured these girls got some style. I looked at Carol and she was wearing a black spandex top and a hip silver shantung skirt with her pink bag. Michelle was wearing a baby pink knit top and a pretty pink chickan skirt; Liza was wearing cotton-mix shirt and a denim skirt with a lavender brocade trim.
Wow! I really felt left out. I looked at myself and saw my own plain t-shirt and pants.
"What's wrong?" Michelle asked me. "Is there something wrong?"
"Uh? No," I lied. "You guys sure look great. How'd you do that?"
"Well," Liza smiled. "We just helped each other mix and match clothes."
"That's great!" I exclaimed. "Great bonding, huh?"
"Yeah," Carol smiled. She sipped her iced tea.
"Well, I have an idea,"Annie said, as she forked her salad. "Why don't we help you with your outfit?"
"Annie?" Carol shot her a look.
"Really?" I asked, amazed.
"Carol, I was just being nice. I didn't say her clothes are that bad. I was just trying to help," Annie explained.
"Thanks, guys," I exclaimed. "But I don't have enough cash to buy clothes."
"Who says we buy these expensive clothes?" Michelle asked.
"Yeah, we go for bargain clothes," Liza said.
I looked from one girl to the other. I can't believe this.
"You mean on sale?"
"Yeah!" They all replied in unison.
"Wow!" Is all I could say. I never really give attention to my clothes but for now, it matters. Especially, I have to be busy- to forget Bob, once in a while.
"So, are you in or out? We could check out the mall for the clothes you like this afternoon," Annie continued.
"Am I in? Of course I do!" I replied. "Make me over!"
"Yeah, that's the spirit, girl!" Liza smiled at me.
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By afternoon, I walked inside the house with my arms full of shopping bags. Mom noticed me.
"Hi, honey," mom kissed my forehead. "Had some shopping today?"
"Yeah,"I smiled. I sat at the sofa nearby and placed the shopping bags on the floor.
"Well, that's a sudden change," mom smiled. "I guess you ran out of your allowance."
I smiled, "Of course not, mom. I got these good clothes on bargain sale."
"Wow, that's nice! So, tell me about your day."
"Well, I met new friends and we went shopping," I answered.
"Uh-huh," mom nodded. "What do you got in there?"
"Just some dresses and make up."
"Oh."
"Well," I stood. "Gotta try this on now, ok, mom?"
"Sure, honey."
I stood,carried the load and went up to my room.
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When I entered my room, I suddenly went to the mirror and looked at myself.
Liza was right,i I kinda look pale. I reached for the blush on and applied a small blush on my cheek, just as what Michelle had told me.
There I said, looking satisfied as my face began to glow.
Just as then, my phone rang.
Krrriiing!!
I picked it up. "Hello?"
"Hi, Leigh," It was Bob.
I smiled. "Hi, Bob. What's up?"
"Well, just wanna check out what you're on."
"Well, " I answered. "I met new friends earlier and thanks for calling by the way. Where are you?"
"I'm on a payphone right now. I bought this call card so I could check up on you once in a while. We're still here in Germany."
"Oh, so, how's it goin'?"
"Pretty good, I guess," Bob said.
I laughed.
"Why?"
"Nothing, it's just that I miss you a lot. Thanks for calling ,ok?"
"Ok, it's no biggie. Just wanna keep in touch with you. I'll e-mail you later, ok?"
"Ok."
"Ok, Leigh. Bye."
"Bye, Bob. Thanks. You take care."
"Ok, I will. You, too. Bye."
Click!
Then, I hang up.
I guess it's not that bad after all that Bob's gone.
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The next day at school, I wore a plaid blue dress to school with a cream sandal. Every where I go, heads were turning. I don't know why. It seems that, it's like the first time, they've noticed me.
Yeah, right. I said. Sure they'll notice you. It's your first time to wear something like that.I reminded myself.
I passed on a group of guys and someone whistled, "Who's that chick?"
I just walked past them. I didn't mean to get their attention.
I saw Michelle and Annie at the side of their lockers, talking. They saw me, they smiled and I waved at them. Finally, I walked up to their side.
"Wow, Leigh, you look amazing!" Michelle giggled. "Improved and thanks for taking my tip."
"Yeah, boys will swoon over you!" Annie mumbled. "That's more like it, girl!"
"But I don't want their attention," I just smiled at them. "And thank you, guys. You also look fab."
"That's no biggie," Annie replied.She fixed on her bandana.
"Hey, there's Carol and Liza," I pointed.
"Whoohoo! Is this Leigh I'm seeing?" Liza asked.
"Yeah, why not?" I joked.
"Well, you look cute today," Liza fumed.
Not again. The 'cute' word. It reminds me of Bob. My heart sank.
"Well, she does look cute, right from the start. Right, Leigh?" Carol asked me.
"Huh?" I asked absentmindedly.
"Anyway, I refer to, she does look cuter today," Liza said with a laugh.
"Oh, c'mon, you guys, let's not go over this," I blushed. "I'm not cute."
"You are, too," Annie said. "But you just can't see it."
"Yeah, whatever," I said. "I'm heading for my homeroom now. See yah later, ok?"
"Bye," Annie, Mitchie (Michelle) and Liza kissed me by the cheek.
"Ok, see yah,"the 4 of them exchanged kisses on the cheeks. Carol remained by my side. Since, we're on the same homeroom, we walked together.
"What's that?" I asked.
"Well, it's a friendly gesture," Carol said. "It is a gesture of saying 'goodbye' or 'see yah later'. Some girly stuffs."
"Oh, ok." I understood. I guess there are some girly stuffs I really don't know. And it's not that bad if I learned some, right?
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We met again by lunch hour. I sat again with them by their table. I remembered it's Wednesday. I can't believe it's just a week, when Bob & I last hang by our fave spot outside. Oh, I suddenly missed him.
"Hey, earth to Leigh," Carol nudged me.
"You're still not eating? I can't believe you haven't touched your Chicken Casserole," Annie noticed.
"I guess I'm not that hungry," I mumbled.
"Why?" Michelle asked. "Something bothering you?"
"Uh, nothing," I replied.
"I know," Carol chimed in. "You miss Bob, right?"
I looked at her warily.
"See, I told you, guys, she misses Bob," Carol told the group.
"How'd you know for sure?" I looked at them.
"Well, it shows," Liza said.
"Why don't you tell us something about him? What's so special about him that makes you miss him so much?" Annie asked.
"Well," I bowed down and touched the beaded bracelet he gave me. "He's my best friend since I was small. And we used to play games and tell different stories together. Every Wednesdays and Fridays we hang out by our fave spot outside, just beside the big oak tree. And I don't know. Ever since he's on tour, I missed him so badly every time."
"Oh, I'm so sorry I asked," Annie replied. "I shouldn't have bring him up."
"That's ok," I smiled at them. "They'll be on tour for about 3 months and I thought I'll never live through it but thank you, guys, you helped me to be strong again."
"Oh, that's so sweet," Liza said.
"Well, I think it's time to move on," I replied.
"Yeah," Annie agreed. "Like think of better things to come."
"Yeah," I nodded.
"Like Ray Mulik Simon!" the girls shrieked.
"Huh?" I asked with round eyes."What are you talking about?"
"You mean, you've never heard?" Liza gasped.
"What?" I asked.
"Ray has this 'thing' for you."
"Ray has a crush on you."
"He thinks you're a babe."
"He's going to ask you out on a date."
I can't believe I'm hearing these, I giggled inside.
"Hello?" I rolled my eyes. "What in the world are you talking about? Ray Simon and me? Sounds weird to me."
"Well, you better believe it!" Annie giggled. "Just looked at that other table."
She looked at her left. I looked at where they were looking. There, he was, Ray Mulik Simon, goodlooking as ever, looking at us and 5 of his pals. He smiled at me and I blushed.
"Oh, gosh!" I just looked away. "I can't believe this!"
"Well, you'd better, coz if you let that cutie slipped out of your fingers, I'll take him away from you!" Annie joked. And we all laughed.
"You are so wicked!" I joked.
"Well, you must get a date from him," Liza referred. Chills ran up my spine at the sound of the word 'date'.
Date Ray Simon? I don't think so."I mean, I don't know him at all, so, why should I go out with him on a date?"
"Well, so, that's why you're going on a date. To get to know him better," Carol smiled.
"Oh, let me just think about that," I said.
"Don't think about it. Do it!" Michelle shrieked.
"Whatever! Excuse me for a while, ok?" I stood up, carrying my things.
"Where are you going?" Annie asked. "You didn't even eat your lunch."
"Well, you can have it. I lost my appetite," I looked at them. "I'll just go outside. I need some air."
"Ok," the girls nodded.
"See you later, ok?"
"K."
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I walked to the place where Bob and I used to share the spot near the oak tree. I closed my eyes and inhaled the fresh air brought by the wind. I exhaled.
I relaxed a little. Then, I inhaled again. This time, the smell's different. It has a mixture of a guy's deocologne. But I didn't mind.
"So, you're all alone," someone exclaimed. He was standing behind me.
I opened my eyes, surprised. I looked around and found myself face-to-face with Ray Mulik Simon.
"Hi," he smiled at me. His dimples were showing.
"Hi," I smiled back. I blushed and straightened a little.
"Can I join you?"
Well, I thought about that. I went outside to be alone but here is Ray asking me to be his company.
"Well,ok," I replied softly.
"Great." Then, he stood beside me. I can smell the sweet scent of his perfume.
Smells nice. I thought to myself. It's very unusual for a guy who smell like that. I mean, they're not all stinky but Ray just smelled nice. I like it.
"So, it's a beautiful afternoon," he looked at me straight in the eyes. "What in the world is the beautiful girl like you hanging on a spot like this?"
Beautiful. He called me beautiful. I smiled. Oh. Puh-leez.
"Well, I like it here," I answered. "My friend and I used to hang on this spot."
He nodded. "I can see that."
Silence.
"You miss him, do you?"
"Huh?" I looked at him.
"What I mean is, Bob, your friend, you still miss him?"
A lot. "Yeah," I just answered.
"Well, do you wanna talk about it?" it's nice of him to ask but...
"No, maybe some other time."
"C'mon, don't be shy," he urged. "You could talk to me about it."
I looked at him. Talking of Bob only made me to miss him more. "Oh, Ray, I think I'd better go." I started to walk but he stopped me as he blocked my path.
"Oh, I'm sorry, Leigh. It's just that, I don't want you to look miserable."
"Thanks," I only answered, not looking him on the eyes.. It's soo sincere of him. "I'd better go."
But he won't give up. "Ok, I'm so sorry. I just want to ask you if you want to go out this Friday night."
Ohmigosh! I mean, 'we' on a date? "Huh? Are you asking me out?"
"Yup," he nodded and smiled showing off his pair of dimples again. "Would you?"
"Well," I think about it. I remember the girls saying 'go for it!' Going out on a date with Ray Mulik, the star quarterback, may seem fun. So, "Ok."
"Yes, see you then," he smiled, then, he moved aside, so that I could walk now.
"Ok," I waved back.
Gosh! What have I gotten myself into?