Our Hearts as One

Johan: Part 5

I silently cursed to myself when I was stopped at yet another red light. I looked out the window at some pedestrians who just finished jogging and were waiting to cross the road. They were smiling and laughing and obviously in love. They just stepped closer to each other when a bright light spread from their chests. People around were clapping and they were hugging. I turned away as the light turned green and drove off with burning eyes. Not from the light but from the fact that I would never get that...because of freaking Ted. I always knew I wouldn't have much of a chance at finding my soulmate but the fact that I would never have a happy relationship like that was hard hitting.
I pulled up and sighed at the sight of Ted's car in my driveway. I just wanted to get this dumb project over with. I trudged inside, kicking off my winter boots at the door. Amie hated shoes inside the house.
I skipped over the loose step on the stairs and pushed open the door to my room-only to find Ted looking at my mom's picture again. I walked over to him and jerked it out of his hand and set it on the shelf above my bed.

"What's your deal? I asked. "Why do you keep staring at that photo?"

He clenched his fist then looked up at me. "I'm curious as to who she is. Is that your real mother? Were you adopted?"

I stared dumbfounded. Why the hell would he care? "It's none of your business." I snapped. I didn't know what his deal was. He acted like he wanted to kill me, then ignored me, and now he's playing like he cares about my life. Just thinking about that made my blood boil. Just looking at Ted at all made me want to scream. But I knew better and I was not going to fail chemistry. So I worked with him until we finally got the project done.

I put the project on my desk table after we agreed I would bring it in on Monday. Then I turned to face him. "We need to talk."

"About what?" He said and I noticed his fists clenched again.

"You know what." I said through gritted teeth. I sat down hard on my bed and faced him. I could just feel that anger boiling inside me.

"There is nothing to talk about. It never happened." He got up and started to walk to my door.

"Siéger!"
{Sit}
I said forcefully. I assumed correctly that he had taken enough French to understand what that meant, but I was thoroughly shocked to see him sigh and sit down. No way in hell did I think that would have actually worked. "We can't avoid this topic forever."

"What is there to say? It happened and I'm trying to act like it never did."

"But its not avoidable. Our hearts glowed and you know it. I know it no matter how much I don't want to. So what does this mean for us? Are we going to end up single and alone for the rest of our lives? You know that no one would marry unless it was to their soulmate."

"Listen kid. I don't know what's going to happen and I don't want to. I already have a girlfriend and I'm going to stay with her. I don't know what kind of messed up crap it is that I got the glowing heart with another dude but I am not gay so I am going to go about my life and stay far away from you no matter what it might mean." And with that he got up and actually left.

I stared, dumbfounded. Then slowly my bemusement turned into anger again. Just to think of all the things that guy has out me through, pushing me into lockers, beating me up just for the laugh of his friends, pulling pranks on me all the time, I could have retaliated if i wanted to but I always end up thinking of my mom. She was so gentle and so opposed to violence. I wanted to do things the right way and went to my schools guidance counselor.... But fat load of crap she did.

I punched my pillow. I hated Ted. I detested him.

****
Beep beep

"JOHAN WAKE UP!" Amie yelled from downstairs. I rolled off my bed, effectively hating my life. School was not something I wanted to face. I got ready in silence-like I do every morning- and skipped breakfast. I waved off Amie's protests and got in my car. I drove the few blocks to my school but... I made a rash decision. Instead of pulling into the parking lot I kept driving, and driving. I finally stopped at central park. Skipping school was something I've never even considered before and was likely to get me grounded forever but at the moment I didn't care. I let the cool air surround me and sighed. I sat down on a bench and closed my eyes for a few minutes and only opened them when someone else say on the bench.

"Why aren't you in school?" Ted asked

"Why do you sound like my mother?" I retaliated. When there was no response I asked another question: "did you follow me here?"

"Yes." He said.

My god. I thought. He had zero chill. "Why?"

"I was curious as to why you left school."

"So? Just because you want to randomly be concerned about my life does not mean you have to stalk me to Central Park."

"I didn't stalk you." He relaxed back into the bench "I was planning on skipping today anyway."

"What is your freaking deal?" I asked, pissed off. "One minute you're bullying me, the next you're asking me questions about my life and acting like you care, and then you go back to pretending I'm a piece of crap."

He sighed and leaned forward. "I care but I don't want to and it's like there is nothing I can do about that. I pick on you in school because if I didn't it would ruin my reputation...and I know that makes me sound like the biggest jerk alive but I can't help it. I strive to fit in. I'm always asking you questions because I just get so curious and there are just things I want to know and....I can't explain it. I sound like an idiot right now. I'm sorry. I should have never came here. I-" He broke off that sentence and stood up. "I'll go. Pretend this never happened." Then he stood up and walked away leaving me more confused and pissed off than I have ever been in my life. What the heck did all that mean? Jeez it sounded like he was going through some kind of internal struggle. He only bullies me to maintain his reputation? That's bull crap! No one could be so vain and ignorant. I stood up and walked over to a little cafe in the area and brought myself a hot chocolate. I sat at one of the tables blowing at the steam and just wondering how the hell things in my life became so confusing and complicated.

I got home at around 5 to a very pissed off Amie. "Why were you not at school? You have never missed a day before. Are you mad? Have you lost your mente?" She practically yelled causing 5 little children to stick their heads out of their doorways.

"No." I said and started walking toward the stairs.

That set Amie off. She started ranting in Spanish. "No me des la espalda a mi! {Don't turn your back on me!} Look at me when I am speaking to you!"

"I'm not in the mood today Amie! I had a bad day so I took it off. Get off my back about it! I wont do it again!" I stormed up to my room and slammed the door so hard it shook in its frame a bit. I ignored it and threw myself down on my bed. I have never raised my voice at her like that before and I had regretted it immediately but I was just so confused and frustrated and I barley knew why. Ted had gotten in my head with what he said back at the park and it had been turning in my mind all day. It just made me pissed off and so irritable.

"Jojo?" A small voice asked at my door. Tina slowly pushed it open and stepped tentatively into the room. I didn't say anything but I watched as she came into my room and climbed on the bed next to me. She curled up against my chest and just laid there. I buried my face in her soft hair and sighed. She was so sweet.

"No estes triste. Sonrie y llenar el mundo con sol."
{Don't be sad. Smile, and fill the world with Sunshine}

I smiled down at her little face. Amie used to say that to me when I was ten. I would wake up most nights crying about losing my mother. I let Tina stay there and slowly she fell asleep. I picked her up and carried her to her room and laid her down, tucking her in.

A/N: Okay I'm not Hispanic so if there is anything wrong, and you guys know the correction please let me know! Also it would mean a lot to me if you guys would vote and comment to let me know how I am doing with this story! Thanks so much ~A.L