Cool With A "K" PART 20 - CHAPTER 14

"So, Geoffry and Chris are back together?" Leo said, watching Chris and Geoffry walk around our school's running track, warmly holding hands.
I nodded and said distantly, "Yeah, they are."
Leo looked at me and said, "You okay with that?"
I grinned as I watched Geoffry with my brother, happier than I had seen him in months.




"Yeah, I am."

Cool With A "K" PART 20 - CHAPTER 13

Geoffry walked to the park the last letter had described that Saturday. He walked through the park, wondering what he was looking for.
Geoffry sighed and sat down on the bench across from the park's pond.
"What am I looking for?" He yelled, getting some odd looks from the people in the park.
Geoffry slammed his hand down on the bench and he got an idea. He slid his hand under the bench seat and he held his breath.
His finger brushed across a piece of folded paper.
Geoffry slowly drew out the paper, which was blue. All the other notes had been white. Maybe this one was special.
Geoffry cautiously unfolded the paper, holding his breath. The note said:


                                                                      Turn around.


Geoffry cocked his head, confused. He slowly turned around in his seat. 
Geoffry couldn't believe his eyes.
Standing about twenty yards behind the bench where Geoffry was sitting, stood the one person Geoffry hadn't even considered as his letter-writing sniper.
Chris.
A smile slowly spread across Geoffry's face as Chris walked toward him, beaming.
Geoffry stood up and jogged over to him.
Chris smiled and said, "So, I see you got the letters."
Geoffry nodded dully and said, "Yeah. You wrote them?"
Chris grinned and nodded. He said, "Yes, I did. I know, not really my style, but let me talk."
Geoffry nodded back and Chris said, "Look, I think I overreacted. You and I, we think differently. Very differently. But... As mad as I was, I couldn't stop thinking about you."
Geoffry smiled and held out his arms.
Chris hesitated at first, but he smiled back and hugged Geoffry.
"That was really weird, Chris." Geoffry said.
Chris nodded, nuzzling into Geoffry's shoulder.
"I thought you were a letter-writing sniper, Chris." Geoffry said dumbly.
Chris eyed him, but smiled and hugged Geoffry tighter.
Geoffry hugged him back and said, "You're practically glowing."
"I missed you." Chris said, beaming.




Geoffry grinned, "It's great to have you back."

Cool With A "K" PART 20 - CHAPTER 12

Chris glanced at the clock on the wall nearby. The buses were to leave soon; he had to be quick.
Chris slipped the envelope through the gap in Geoffry's locker and ran off to his bus. 
Chris couldn't help smiling to himself as he left the school. He wasn't used to doing such clever things.
It felt good.




The next day, Geoffry opened his locker and a white envelope fell out.
Confused, he picked it up and inspected it. No name saying who it was from.
Geoffry opened the envelope and pulled out a piece of paper. Here is what it said:


Sit at the fourth desk to the right of the blackboard in the French room. Look under it.


Geoffry studied the note and went to the French room. Luckily, French was his next class.
Geoffry sat down at the fourth desk to the right of the blackboard, just as the mysterious letter had told him to do. Geoffry was afraid that if he didn't listen to the mysterious letter, then the mysterious writer of the letter might come and hurt him. 
During class, Geoffry reached under the desk and felt for anything. His hand brushed across a piece of paper, which was taped to the underside of the desk.
He opened the folded paper and glanced down at it. It read:


Good work, Geoffry. Now, to find the next clue, go to the Social Studies room and look behind the overhead projector.




Geoffry sighed and ran his fingers through his hair, reminding himself of Chris, who had always had cute little habits like that.
Not wanting the letter-writing sniper that could easily be following him to kill him, Geoffry stood up and left the French room.
The angry, confused French teacher called after him in French, telling him to come back.
Geoffry went straight to the Social Studies room and burst in. 
About forty confused faces blinked at him as he walked to the front of the room and reached behind the overhead projector.
Geoffry pulled out the paper from behind the projector and opened it. He said out loud, "Okay, now what will this mysterious piece of paper tell me?"
The whole class stared at Geoffry as he left the room, reading the paper for his next instructions.
Each note Geoffry found had more instructions similar to these.
Finally, he found the last one taped underneath the bleachers out by the school's football field. It said:


Congrats, Geoffry. Your almost to the end. Now, go to the park two blocks from the Southside grocery this Saturday.




Geoffry nodded to the letter, as if it could understand him.
"Yes, I will come." He whispered.




What a weird day Geoffry had had.

Cool With A "K" PART 20 - CHAPTER 11

It had been almost two and a half hours since Chris had left the house and Mom and I were freaking out. His phone had been turned off the entire time and we had no idea where our baby- Er, her baby was.
Then, we were sitting in the living room and he came in from the hallway.
"Chris," Mom said, "Where have you been? How did you get in here?"
Chris shrugged and said casually, taking off his baseball cap, "Ah, I thought I'd try something new, so I came in through the bathroom window."
Mom and I started at Chris. He never tried to get out of routine!
Chris looked back and forth from me to Mom and a small smile crossed his lips.
He came in and sat by me at the table. He said, "So, what have you two been doing?"
Mom and I looked at each other and I said, "Um... We're playing cards."
Chris nodded, looking a bit disappointed. He said quietly, "Oh. I don't know how to play."
Mom smiled warmly at him and said, "We can teach you."
Chris smiled and nodded, "Okay."
So, Mom and I taught Chris how to play the card game we had been playing and it was one of the best 'family time' moments we've ever had. Too bad Dad had to take a late shift that day.




I didn't know what was up with Chris, but I wasn't worried.

Cool With A "K" PART 20 - CHAPTER 10

Chris sat by his bedroom window, gazing out the window at the dreary, rainy Saturday weather. He was going through his iPod, pausing at the Three Days Grace playlist.
Chris stared at his iPod and shook his head. He changed the music to the song "Alone" by Heart. It reminded him of Geoffry.
Geoffry had always loved older music, from the 70's and 80's and such... Chris thought.
He sighed as he thought about Geoffry. Geoffry had cut off his hair for Chris. Just for him and him only.
Chris blinked back tears. He wiped them away and wondered why he had always solved his problems by crying and taking cover behind his sister.
"No..." Chris said aloud, "I can't hide behind Angie forever. I'm fifteen, almost old enough to drive, almost old enough to vote, to go to college, to work, to raise a family...."
Chris swallowed and got up, getting his jacket and the Florida Marlins baseball cap his father had given him, and he left the room.


Chris came into the living room and he was putting on his jacket. 
Mom looked up from her sewing and said, "Chris, Sweetie, where are you going?"
I turned my attention away from the T.V., looking at Chris.
Chris sighed, but smiled weakly, "Out."
Chris started to leave and Mom called after him, "Alone?"
Chris turned away from the doorway and paused for a second. Then, to my surprise, he nodded and said, "Yeah, I need... I need some alone time. Time to think."
Mom and I exchanged a look and Chris went out the door, grabbing an umbrella on his way out.


Chris walked down his block, holding the navy blue umbrella above his head. The rain pelted on it, making a gentle, steady sound.
When he thought about it, Chris couldn't believe that in all his fifteen years of life, he had never gone on a walk besides himself. Not once. Not even a walk around the suburban neighborhood he called home. It felt good.
Chris didn't think about where he was walking; it didn't matter where he went.
The suburbs of Florida smelled of fresh rain and the air was cool. Chris thought about what Geoffry had done for him and felt guilty.
After walking for a while, Chris found himself standing in a large parking lot; a very large parking lot.
At one end of the parking lot was an enormous screen. Chris had involuntarily walked four and a half miles to the exact drive-in movie theatre where he and Geoffry had first kissed.
I know I didn't do this on purpose, Chris thought, but I had to have. I mean, I couldn't have accidentally walked to this exact place...
Chris thought about this and he thought about Geoffry.
He walked through the massive vacant parking lot, stepping through puddles left from the rain, which had stopped. 
Chris stood under the colossal screen where he had watched his favorite movie with Geoffry and his sister. It seemed like so long ago now...
Chris kicked a small rock at his feet and turned around, slowly walking back home.
Before returning to his house, Chris walked through a park nearby his house. He sat down on the bench across from the park's pond.
Chris gently glided his fingers across the bench's smooth wood. He had once sat here with Geoffry, watching little kids put their little toy boats in the pond and have races.
Everything seemed to remind him of Geoffry that day. 
Honestly, Chris missed him. He really missed him.
Chris propped his chin up on his hand and thought. I wonder if he's thinking about me? Maybe I was too harsh on him... But, after all, what he did was pretty unbelievable.... But, when Mom found out, she was so calm. Why?... Was I the only one who thought it was a big deal?
Chris sighed and stood up. Hands in his pockets, he walked back to his house.

Cool With A "K" PART 20 - CHAPTER 9

Chris flat out ignored Geoffry for the next three days or so. Geoffry tried hard to get his attention, but Chris was stubborn and wouldn't even look at him for almost a whole week.
At recess, I sat down by Chris on a bench and I said, "Hey, Buddy."
Chris shrugged 'hello' and didn't say anything.
"Hey," I said, putting my hand on his back, "How 'you doing?"
Chris shrugged again and remained silent.
There was a long pause and, seeing that he wasn't going to speak, I opened my mouth to do so. Then, Chris said, "Thank you, Angela."
I cocked my head to the side and said, "Um... For what?"
Chris looked at me and said, "Thank you for your support. I'm thankful that you're so willing to look after me. You know, that you're always there for me, but I need to handle this on my own. Please let me do so. It means the world to me that you let me take care of this one thing by myself."
I stared at my brother for a minute, stunned. That was perhaps the smartest thing I had heard him say in.... Well, ever. 
I smiled at Chris. My baby brother wanted to take responsibility for his own life. I was so proud I could've cried, but I didn't.
I nodded and hugged Chris. I said quietly, "I'm proud of you, Chris."
Chris smiled weakly and, scooting away, said to me, "I appreciate your understanding."
My understanding? I thought, To tell the truth, I can't be more proud.
Chris nodded and stood up, wordlessly walking away.
Once he was gone, I smiled to myself and nodded.




"Yeah," I said quietly, "That's my boy."

Cool With A "K" PART 20 - CHAPTER 8

As I sat in homeroom, the suspense of what would happen between Geoffry and my brother was killing me. I felt bad for being so anxious to see what happened, but I just wanted things to fall back into place.

Well, what I got sure was satisfying and I’m surprised that our five minutes of passing time was enough to cover it.

It was the end of third hour and I was with Chris and Alice, on my way to French class.

Chris stopped dead in his tracks and his jaw slowly dropped.

Alice and I looked at him and said at the same time, “What?”

Chris swallowed and didn’t say anything. Alice and I followed his gaze and we gasped.

What Chris was staring at was Geoffry, who was walking toward us with an anxious gleam to his eyes. His dreadlocks were gone.

What was left of Geoffry’s hair was clean, fluffy, and blonde and it was shining gorgeously.

Chris stared at him in shock and I wondered if he was going to pass out.

As if on cue, Alice and I both backed up and watched.

Geoffry stood in front of Chris, with a small smirk on his face.

Chris stared at him, at loss for words.

Geoffry held out his arms, somewhat questioningly, and said, “I told you, I can change.”

Chris swallowed and finally found his voice, “Geoffry, your hair… It’s gone.”

“Yeah, I know.” Geoffry nodded, laughing a little, “I did that.”

Chris stared at him, almost in awe, and said, “How long did it take you to grow dreads?”

“I dunno, ‘bout five years.” Geoffry sailed, smiling tenderly, “And about five minutes to cut it all off. I did it for you, Chris.”

Wow, Geoffry was really serious about getting back with Chris. He must have really loved him, ‘cause damn.

Chris stared at Geoffry and gently stroked his silky blonde hair.

Geoffry reached for Chris’ hand, but Chris quickly pulled away.

I felt like we were watching some kind of weird silent movie.

I glanced at Alice for a second, but instantly back at Chris.

Without saying anything, Chris turned around and quickly walked away. To tell you the truth, I thought that was ridiculously cruel. I mean sure Geoffry pretty much molested Chris and…. Yeah, okay, I guess I could see why Chris was unforgiving.

Geoffry stood in the hallway and sniffed. I tried not to look amazed that there were tears in his eyes. I had never seen Geoffry cry. Ever.

Alice and I passed him and I gently patted his shoulder.

Geoffry gasped like he was holding back tears and I turned back to him.

He looked terribly heartbroken and I almost wanted to hug him.

“I’m sorry,” I said quietly.

Geoffry shook his head, “No, I should be the one who’s sorry. I really scared him, didn’t I? Last Sunday. No one has have walked out on me like that before. I didn’t know how to react… Apparently I chose the wrong choice.”

I nodded hesitantly. He had nailed it; that was exactly what happened.

“Maybe he’ll come back.” Alice said, smiling weakly, “He really loved you, Geoffry.”

“Loved.” Geoffry said, flinching as the bell rang.

“Crap,” I said, “Late again.”

Geoffry nodded and Alice and I turned to walk away.

I glanced back at Geoffry, walking to the same class, but a few feet back.

I exchanged a look with Alice and went back to Geoffry. I gently put my hand on his arm and said, “Come on, time to go to French.”

Geoffry looked at me, looking tired, and nodded.

The three of us went to French class together, all with the same thing filling our mind:

Chris.

Cool With A "K" PART 20 - CHAPTER 7

The next day, Chris still didn’t get up on his own, but it was a lot easier to get him out of bed.

He also managed to dress more like a human being. Still all dark colors, but he wore black jeans and a navy blue button-up instead of an interesting collage of clothes.

I was hoping that meant he was feeling better.

The day seemed to be going reasonably better, but then Geoffry came over to us at lunch.

He sat down next to Chris, across from us. He was looking at Chris in a way that I didn’t recognize on Geoffry. It was almost a look of… Regret.

Chris scowled and said, “What do you want, Geoffry?”

Geoffry swallowed and said, “Chris, I wanted to talk to you… About last Sunday.”

As we have done many times before, Alice, Mouse, Leo, and I pretended not to listen, but all had our ears open.

Chris turned back to his lunch and ignored Geoffry.

“Chris, please.” Geoffry said, putting his and on Chris’ shoulder.

Wow, Geoffry said the ‘p’ word.

“Don’t touch me.” Chris said sharply. To my surprise, Geoffry obeyed and moved his hand.

Geoffry sighed and said, “Chris… I just don’t see why you’re mad.”

“You know what, Geoffry?” Chris said, “I’m done with you. You want to know something I never told you?”

We were all watching curiously now, wondering what crazy, deep thing Chris would say.

Chris sneered in disgust, “I have always hated your dreadlocks!”

Leo and I exchanged an ‘are you kidding’ look.

Geoffry eyed Chris questioningly and Chris nodded.

“Yeah,” Chris said, “They are tacky and disgusting! There, I said it! I have always hated your dreadlocks. Seriously, Geoffry. Perfect teeth, perfect face, perfect smile…”

I flicker of a smile crossed Chris’ lips for just a second, but quickly faded.

“But the dreadlocks just threw it all off.” He complained, shaking his head, “Terrible.”

“What if I change?” Geoffry said, taking Chris’ hand. He continued before Chris could say anything.

“I can change.” Geoffry said, “I won’t change who I am, but I can a few things, you name them. Right here, right now. What do you want me to change? I can make a list and change them A.S.A.P.!”

Chris’ glare turned into a slightly curious look, but he forced a scowl back onto his face almost instantly. He tried to pull his hand away from Geoffry’s, but Geoffry held it tight.

“Come on, Chris.” Geoffry whispered, smiling nervously, “I can change.”

Leo had lost interest by now, but Alice, me, and even Mouse were sucked into their conversation like Chris got sucked into Soap Operas.

Chris studied Geoffry’s face and said coldly, “I’m sorry, Geoffry, but you went too far.”

Geoffry’s face fell and he said, “Come on, Chris. Where’s your heart?”

“Tacky, but quotable movie line coming in three, two…” I whispered to Alice.

Chris said, shaking his head, “Not in your possession, that’s for sure.”

“Told you.” I whispered to Alice again.

Geoffry’s eyes looked sad and he let his hand drop out of Chris’.

Chris gave Geoffry one last hesitant, almost cruel look, stood up with his lunch, and left the table.

I focused on Geoffry as he watched Chris walk away. There was an unfamiliar look of sadness and guilt on his face.

Geoffry wrapped his arms around his own shoulders and put his elbows on the table, as if he was trying to make himself seem smaller. I couldn’t believe it, but for the first time as long as I’ve known him, I felt bad for him.

I exchanged an uncomfortable look with my friends and we sat in awkward silence for a few minutes.

I looked at Geoffry, who had his head down on the table.

I glanced at Alice, who shrugged. I looked at Leo and Mouse for help and they did the same as Alice.

I uneasily reached out and put my hand on Geoffry’s shoulder. My fingers brushed against his dreadlocks; Chris was right, they were kind of weird. I tried to imagine kissing a guy with dreadlocks and immediately regretted it.

Geoffry looked up and looked at me with sad eyes that reminded me so much of Chris that it was disturbing.

I swallowed and nodded to him. I smiled and said gently, “Go get him, he needs you.”

Geoffry stared at me as if I had two heads. Leo was doing the same, but soon enough he just rubbed his temples and mumbled something, shaking his head.

I nodded to Geoffry again and said, “He really needs you. I know, I’m his sister.”

Helping Geoffry win Chris over was never something I thought I would do, but Mabel was right; Chris and Geoffry needed each other.

Geoffry nodded and smiled at me.

“Thank you,” He said quietly, standing up.

Geoffry turned and walked away then.

Leo looked at me and said, “Angela, you hate Geoffry. Why did you do that?”

I shrugged, “Like I said, Chris needs Geoffry and Geoffry needs Chris.”

Mouse scoffed and said, “Have you been drinking gasoline? You sound nuts.”

I shook my head and smiled to myself.

 “I know.”

Cool With A "K" PART 20 - CHAPTER 6

Study Hall had just ended and Chris, Alice, Leo, Mouse, and I were walking through the hall to go to lunch. Then, Geoffry stopped Chris.
"Honey," He said, "Hey, Sweetie..."
"Call me by my name, if you'd be so kind." Chris hissed, "What do you want?"
"It's just..." Geoffry said, "I... I'm... I'm sorry, Chris. I'm really sorry. What I did was wrong and I really love you. But, then again, you kind of overreacted. I mean, you really overreacted. Seriously, Chris. I do that with all of my boyfriends and girlfriends! Like Mabel..."
Geoffry zoned out, grinning and reminding me of Leo. Chris looked like he was going to rip Geoffry's head off.
"Man, she is so hot." Geoffry sighed dreamily, not paying attention to what he was saying, "You see, Chris. The difference between you and her is she actually lets me put my tongue in her mouth and she would let me-"
Chris, who had been standing in front of Geoffry in bright red fury, lost it. He lashed out and slapped Geoffry hard across the face.
Geoffry staggered back and held his hand up to his face. He stared at Chris, looking hurt.
Chris didn't look the tiniest bit sorry. He hissed, "You're such a pig, Geoffry!"
Chris stormed off, leaving the rest of us standing in awkward silence.
Mouse and Leo exchanged a 'wow' glance and we headed toward the lunchroom, leaving Geoffry to think.

I opened the front door to our house and said, “Hi, Mom.”

Mom beamed cheerily, but her face fell when she saw Chris. He was still sulking and he wouldn’t look at anyone. I could practically see the storm cloud hanging over his head.

I shrugged to Mom and she watched sadly as Chris dragged his feet to his room.

Once he was gone, I sat down next to Mom and put my hand on her shoulder.

She looked at me and said, “What’s really wrong with Chris, Angela? Do you know? I know you do. Your brother tells you everything…”

I held my breath as she brushed my hair out of my eyes and said softly, “Honey, what are you hiding from me?”

I couldn’t tell her, it would ruin everything.

I swallowed and didn’t say anything.

Mom sighed and, stroking my hair, said, “Please, Sweetheart. You don’t need to lie to your mother.”

Crap, I thought, guilt trip much?

I stared at her and my breath shorted out. I said softly, “Chris will hate me if I tell.”

Mom stroked my hair more and said gently, “He won’t hate you, Angela. Chris is your brother and he loves you. That is a fact.”

She was right.

I closed my eyes and said quickly, “Chris went to Geoffry’s house on Sunday and they were… Er… Kissing… and Geoffry put his hand down Chris’ pants and now Chris is all depressed because he thinks he has to break up with him for it.”

Mom stared at me and there was a long, nauseating silence. I couldn’t believe how calm she was about it; Her daughter just told her that her baby had practically been sexually harassed by his boyfriend.

Mom’s calm blue eyes bored holes into me, her red lips twitching slightly.

She smoothed her dress and said, her voice barely shaking, “Is that it?”

I stared at her and nodded, forgetting my deal with Mabel, “What do you mean ‘is that it’? I think it’s a big deal and clearly so does Chris. You should be freaking out!”

Mom swallowed and said, “Angela, your brother is growing up and we have to except it. Things happen, it’s natural.”

“Oh, so you’re saying that it was natural for Geoffry to violate your son?” I said angrily. After it was said, I instantly wished I could take it back.

Mom gave me a serious look and said firmly, “No, Angela. I didn’t say that.”

Neither of us said anything for a long time.

Mom looked like she was about to say something, but Chris entered the room.

Mom and I whirled to face him, staring at him defensively.

Chris eyed us, looking confused.

Mom bit her lip and she put her hand on Chris’ arm.

“Sweetheart,” She said, cautiously looking at me.

I nodded to her and she said, “Chris, Angela told me about what happened last Sunday.”

Chris’ eyes widened and he didn’t say anything.

Mom squeezed Chris’ arm and said gently, “I’m sorry you had to go through that, Honey.”

Chris studied her face, looking horrified and confused. He let Mom take his hand.

With her other hand, Mom gently stroked Chris’ hair and said, “Did you not want me to know because you thought I would get upset?”

Chris continued to stare at Mom without saying anything. She smoothed his hair and stood up next to him.

“Chris,” Mom said, “I know you’re upset, but don’t let one person make you this unhappy. You don’t need Geoffry to be happy.”

Chris glared at her, pouting like he was trying to push back his feelings. That wasn’t something he did very often, but he was trying to strong and I was proud of him for that. I was sure Mom was too.

Mom put her hands on Chris’ shoulders and said, “You’re a brave boy and I’m glad you know when to say when. I think you did the right thing, but don’t let one person control your life. It’s your life. Yours.”

I decided that if Mom fixed everything, than I could tell Mabel that the deal was off and that we didn’t need to get Chris and Geoffry back together.

Chris took a deep, slightly shuddering breath and said quietly, “I’ll keep that in mind.”

Without another word, Chris left the room, but he didn’t seem quite as dark and alone as before.

Mom smiled and I said cautiously, “What are we gonna do about Dad?”

Mom’s smile faded and she said, “Well… I can handle that, Sweetheart. You don’t need to worry about your father.”

She smiled again and I nodded.

Now, to see what Chris would do.

Cool With A "K" PART 20 - CHAPTER 5

In the morning, Mom, Dad, and I went to Chris’ room and Mom knocked on the door.

“Chris, Sweetie?” She said softly, “Will you please get up, Sweetheart?”

When Chris didn’t answer the door, I pushed it open and walked over to Chris’ bed, where he was lying with headphones on, sleeping in his black clothes.

The emo music was playing loud enough that I could hear it.

I shook Chris and said, “Wake up, Mr. Brightside.”

Chris groaned and pulled his blanket over his head.

Mom and Dad exchanged a look and I turned back to Chris.

Mom gasped as I reached over Chris, grabbed the bed sheets, and flipped the mattress over.

From the floor, Chris sat up and glared at me. He took off his headphones, tossed them onto the floor, and stomped out of the room.

Mom and Dad stared at me and I shrugged, as if to say, ‘I don’t know what’s wrong with him’.

We all went into the kitchen.

Mom made breakfast for Dad while he got ready for work.

For the first time in my life, I felt awkward, sitting across from my little brother at the breakfast table.

Dressed from head to toe in black, his messy brown hair in his eyes, Chris picked up spoonfuls of cereal, only to let it pour back into the bowl.

I got up and said, “Well, time for school. Come on, Chris.”

Mom looked up and said, “Oh, do you two want to take the bus or should I drive you…?”

Chris trudged over to the door, picking up his backpack.

I shrugged helplessly at Mom and she nodded.

“Alright,” She said, “I’ll see you after school.”

“Bye, Mom.” I said, “Chris says goodbye too.”

Chris didn’t say anything and we walked to our bus stop.

I smiled weakly when I saw Alice and her face fell when she saw Chris.

She whispered to me, “Is he still upset about Geoffry?”

I nodded, “Yeah, it’s driving us all nuts at home. He’s been listening to Coldplay and Three Days Grace and The Smiths…”

Alice looked from me to Chris and said, “The Smiths? Really?”

I nodded and the bus arrived. We got on and Chris sat by himself in a seat.

I sat by Alice, but we didn’t say anything for the whole ride.

When we got to school, Mouse and Leo met us outside.

Leo eyed Chris, studying his clothes, which were unusually and startlingly similar to Leo’s.

Mouse had a somewhat satisfied look on her face and she was about to say something, but both Alice and I both glared daggers at her. She kept quiet.

None of us said anything at all.

Chris was one step away from catatonic for the whole day.

At lunch, Geoffry came up to me and said, “Hey, Angela. What’s wrong with Chris? He seems a little, I don’t know… Off.”

I crossed my arms and said, “Gee, I wonder what’s wrong with Chris. Don’t play stupid, Pretty Boy.”

Geoffry stared at me blankly and I rolled my eyes.

“He’s sulking because of what you did to him.” I said flatly, “Your fault.”

Geoffry looked confused and said innocently, “What are you talking about, Angela?”

“Are you serious?” I snarled, “You are such an idiot. I don’t see what about you is worth sulking over.”

Geoffry looked a little offended and said, a bit sarcastically, “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Now, will you please be a dear and tell me what’s wrong with my boyfriend?”

“You should know.” I said, “Don’t be counting on him still being your boyfriend after what you did to him, Prince Charming.”

Geoffry crossed his arms and waited for me to answer his question, annoyingly patient.

I rolled my eyes in an over-exaggerated way and said bitterly, “Last Sunday, your house. When he stormed out of there, in tears.”

Geoffry’s face fell as he remembered and I said snottily, “Ring a bell? Ding ding?”

Geoffry swallowed and said weakly, “That’s really what he’s so upset about?”

I nodded, “Yep. If I were you, I would be looking for a new innocent kid to molest, GQ.”

Geoffry swallowed again and, nodding, said, “Okay, you win. I get it.”

I kept an angry look on my face as I watched him walk away.

I felt mean, but if anyone deserved a b-slap across the face, it was that guy. I hated him so much already and now I had a reason.

I wanted to kick him in the nads.

When I was on the way to our recess, someone called, “Hey, Angela!”

I turned around and was surprised for the millionth time that Mabel knew I was there.

“What, Mabel?” I said half-heartedly.

She pursed her lips, her misty eyes staring blankly ahead. She said in an icy tone, “I never thought I would say this, ever, but…”

Mabel took a deep breath and said, “Angela, I need your help.”

I eyed her and said, “What?”

Mabel shook her head and said, “I can’t take it anymore. We need to get Chris and Geoffry back together. Chris is all Geoffry talks about! When we were making out the other day, I could’ve sworn he said ‘Chris’!”

She sounded like she was having difficulty saying every word.

I shook my head, “Wait, wait, wait… You and Geoffry are back together now?”

Mabel nodded and said, sighing, “Yes, but it doesn’t seem to make much of a difference from when he was with Chris…”

I mumbled under my breath, “That asshole…”

I turned to Mabel and said, “Also, I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I think getting them back together might be the only way to get everything back to normal.”

Mabel nodded and held out her hand.

I wasn’t anxious to shake her hand, but I did anyway.

I was now business partners with Mabel Oakfield.

Cool With A "K" PART 20 - CHAPTER 4

Chris didn’t get up for school in the morning. This being really weird for Chris, Mom knew something was wrong and felt bad for him. She offered to let him stay home, but Chris declined, claiming that he hadn’t missed a single day of school this year and didn’t intend to “foil his perfect record”. However, he slept in and missed the bus, so Mom drove him to school. Maybe I should try being depressed; I wanna sleep in.

We were in homeroom and I was talking to Alice, when her face fell.

“Oh, no…” She said.

I followed her gaze. Chris had come into the room and he pretty much looked like he had gotten drunk, let Mabel dress him, and gotten hit by a bus. He was wearing a black turtleneck under a black button-up shirt, which was buttoned wrong; Very unlike Chris. He was wearing black jeans… Inside out. I was just glad that he put his boxers on before his pants. His hair was a rat's nest and he had dark circles under his eyes, probably from staying up all night crying about Geoffry. The poor kid looked sicker than I had ever seen him.

I exchanged a look with Alice and she shrugged.

I stood up and walked over to Chris, putting my hand on his arm, “Chris?”

He looked at me, but seemed to be gazing right through my face.

“Hey,” I said, “Here, sit down, Sweetie.”

Alice pulled out a chair and I sat Chris down, kneeling down beside him.

“Still upset about yesterday, Sweetheart?” I said gently, starting to re-button his outer shirt.

“Nooo!” Chris wailed, pawing at my hands, “Don’t expose my innocent virgin skin to the world!!!”

I backed off and said, “Dude, you’re wearing like five shirts! Don’t worry, no one’s gonna see your skin.”

“Three.” Chris corrected, wailing, “WHO’S NO ONE? DON’T LET HIM SEE ME!! No One’s a pervert, isn’t he?”

I glanced at Alice and she shook her head.

I took Chris’ head and said gently, “Chris, it’s okay. You don’t have to give up just because Geoffry… Was rude.”

Chris started bawling and put his head on my shoulder. He wailed out something along the lines of “I can’t believe he did that. Why would he do that to me?”, but it was hard to tell.

Chris wiped his nose on his sleeve and said, “My life is ruined.”

“No, it’s not.” I said as the bell rang, “Come on, buddy. Time for first hour.”

Chris, Alice, and I walked out into the hall. Geoffry passed by us and Chris raised his voice.

“I hate my life,” Chris said loudly, “And life hates me. Why, Angie? Why? Why can’t someone just come and shoot an arrow through my heart? Oh, wait, someone already has!”

Geoffry either didn’t notice Chris’ comment or pretended not to. I just wanted to hang that jerk from the ceiling by one dreadlock, I’m telling you.

Chris stood by a locker and hit his head against it, “Ow.”

“No duh.” I said, trying to pry him away from the lockers, but he held on, “Come on, Chris, this isn’t you!”

“Yeah? Maybe that way people will stop ruining my life.” Chris said flatly.

I tried not to roll my eyes. Geez, this kid was taking it rough. I thought nowadays teens were supposed to be okay with their boyfriends being sexual…. Okay, I take that back.

During English class, Chris sat through the entire thing, staring off into space. Even Leo noticed.

“Hey, Ange.” He said, “Is something wrong with Chris?”

I nodded and said back, “I can tell you about it later, but you’ll probably find out. He’s been going on about it all day.”

Leo nodded and went back to his work, which Chris was failing to complete, scaring me. What if he was really sick?

I was scared to leave him for math class; that and History were the only classes we didn’t have together. Chris honestly wouldn’t need me, being a brainiac and all, if he wasn’t so… Clingy.

After third hour (Math), I saw Chris in the hallway. He was tripping over his shoelaces, which he hadn’t bothered to tie.

I sighed and walked over to him, “Here, I’ll help you with that.”

Chris didn’t say anything as I bent down to tie his shoes.

I gave him a look and said, “Chris? Where did you find these shoes?”

They were black converse that were about three sizes to small and half torn open.

Chris sighed, “They were in the bottom drawer of my dresser. They’ve always been there.”

“Why do you keep them there?” I said, looking at his shoes, “Dude, I haven’t seen these since, like, sixth grade!”

Chris shrugged, “That was a decent year. I loved these shoes.”

“Not very orderly.” I teased, smiling.

Chris kept a straight face and sighed sorrowfully, “Well, we should go to class, not that it would change anything. My life is already ruined.”

“You know Chris,” I said hesitantly through clenched teeth, “You didn’t technically break up with Geoffry, you don’t have to, you know.”

Chris gave me a ‘what have you been drinking’ look and said, “Oh, Angie. Untouched, innocent, Angie. Of course you would say that because it didn’t happen to you!”

Usually, Chris would then hold his head high and stomp off, but he just slouched over more and dragged his feet to the French room.

Chris was pretty much catatonic for the whole day.

At lunch, Mouse studied him and said, “Is something wrong with Chris? As in, like, more than usual?”

Chris scowled at her and didn’t say anything.

Mouse continued, not really knowing what was wrong, but simply poking fun at Chris, “Oh, I see. Boy troubles? Sucks to be you.”

Chris turned and slapped Mouse in the face, surprising all of us. That took a lot of guts, which (as you know) Chris has none of.

Mouse stood with her mouth hanging open and she glared at Chris. Leo and I got ready…

Mouse lunged for Chris and Leo and I held her back.

“You know what I’ve always wanted to do?” She screamed at Chris, “Rip that cute little button nose right off your face!”

Chris ignored her and turned to face the wall.

Just then, Geoffry came over to our table. He grinned and said, “Hi, Chris. What’s up, Sweetie?”

Chris turned to him, a look of disgust on his face, “What are you doing here?”

Geoffry chuckled, kind of uncertainly, “I’m here to see you, Honey! I-is something wrong?”

Chris laughed hollowly, “Is something wrong?”

We were all watching intensely now, even Leo.

Chris stood up, “Is something wrong?! What do you mean is something wrong?”

Geoffry looked so confused, it was weird. “What do you mean what do I mean?”

Chris scoffed and sat back down, “Just go away. Apparently your intelligence is no match for mine, which isn’t shocking. If you can’t grasp why I’m angry with you, than I don’t see the point of you being here at all.”

Geoffry looked confused, upset, and maybe a little offended all at the same time. He chuckled uncertainly again and held out his arms to Chris, “Can we hug it out?”

“GET AWAY FROM ME BEFORE I CALL THE FREAKING POLICE!!!!!!” Chris screamed at him. A little harsh, Chris.

Geoffry blinked and started to back away, “Chris, Honey… Are you feeling alright? I think something might be wrong with you….”

“Something’s wrong with me?” Chris yelled, unintentionally attracting quite a bit of attention, “Something is wrong with me? I think there’s something wrong with you, Geoffry Canning! All I did was confess my love and you took it way to far!”

Chris started bawling; that was my cue. I jogged over to my little brother and he, predictably, collapsed in my arms, sobbing. I patted his back, looking around nervously at all the other students who were staring at us. Well, who could blame them? Two guys (one of them being Chris, who will always and forever be at the bottom of the food chain) just had a loud, dramatic breakup argument that mostly consisted of Chris screaming like a madman.

Geoffry stood uselessly next to the table and, seeing no further use for him, Mouse gestured for him to scram. He walked off, looking more confused than ever.

Chris leaned on me, bawling.

I sighed and said, “Chris, you’re making way too big a deal out of this.”

Chris wiped his nose on his sleeve and said, “Not true. What happened yesterday was a terrible misfortune.”

“Did someone die?” Mouse asked casually.

Chris glared at her and said, “Yeah, Geoffry’s cat… And our eternal love.”

Chris shuddered and I sighed, wishing for once that my brother would act like a guy.

“Well,” Mouse said, “It doesn’t seem so eternal now-“

“Mouse!” I hissed, “Clam it!”

Mouse looked from me to Chris lazily and sighed, “Fine, I’ll lay off.”

I pushed Chris’ shoulder with mine and said, “Okay, time to get up, Buddy Boy.”

Chris shook his head, clinging to my arm like a leech.

At recess, I explained to Alice what had happened the day before. She shook her head and said, “Man, no wonder poor Chris is such a mess.”

I raised an eyebrow at her, “Come on, it wasn’t worth going emo for!”

Alice eyed me, “Are you kidding? I can’t imagine how scared Chris must have been!”

“But-“ I protested.

“Angie, it didn’t happen to you. You couldn’t possibly know what he’s going through.” Alice said.

I clenched my teeth and, managing to keep my temper, I said, “It didn’t happen to you either…”

Alice nodded and said, “Well, I’m saying that maybe you should give Chris a break. He’s been through a lot.”

I tried not to look pissed and huffed, “Fine.”

Chris and I got off the bus and walked home.

When we got to our house, Chris went straight to his room.

I sighed and sat down on the couch to do my homework.

Suddenly, the worst music I had ever heard started blasting through the house.

All I want is a little of the good life….

I covered my ears and yelled, “Chris! Turn that crap off!”

I stomped to his room, my hands still over my ears, and pushed the door open with my side.

I gaped when I entered Chris’ room. Clothes and books and CD cases were scattered all over the floor. Chris’s bed wasn’t made and he was lying on it, repeatedly throwing a rubber ball against the wall and catching it.

“Geez, Chris.” I said, “Was there a tornado in here?”

“My life is ruined.” Chris said in a monotone.

I turned off his radio and said, picking up a CD case from the floor, “What are you listening to? The soundtrack from a funeral?”

Chris didn’t answer and I said, looking through the Cds, “Three Days grace, Donnie Darko soundtrack, Coldplay…”

I raised an eyebrow at Chris and held up a CD, “The Smiths?”

Chris sighed sorrowfully and droned, “My life is a terror, why not listen to terrible music?”

“Alice In Chains, Chris?” I said, “Really?”

Chris silently stared at the wall, throwing the rubber ball again.

“Chris,” I said, crossing my arms, “This isn’t you.”

“Can you go now?” Chris said flatly, “I would like to be left alone.”

I rolled my eyes and said, “Fine.”

“Pain, without love. Pain, can’t get enough.” Chris sang loudly, “Pain, I like it rough ‘cause I’d rather feel pain than nothing at all.”

I groaned, “Fine, I’m leaving now!”

I closed the door behind me and walked back to the living room.

Cool With A "K" PART 20 - CHAPTER 3

I sat on the couch, lazily watching T.V., when I heard a knock on the front door. I turned off the T.V. to answer it. 

I opened the door and, to my surprise, it was Chris. He looked like he had been crying.

“Chris?” I said, “What-“

Suddenly, Chris flung his arms around me, sobbing.

Surprised, I put an arm around him and closed the door with the other. “Hey, um… It’s okay, it’ll be okay….”

I sat him down on the couch, “What happened? What’s wrong?”

A feeling of panic started to flow through me. What if something terrible had happened?

Chris shuddered, swallowing, “Um…” He almost looked a little guilty.

“What?” I said, trying to stay calm, “Just tell me, Chris.”

Chris shuddered again and said, “I… I went to Geoffry’s house.”

“You what?” I said, trying not to sound mad. Chris had gone to Geoffry’s house without talking to me first! I knew better than to yell at him, so I let him go on.

Chris nodded, “I went to Geoffry’s house and we were in his bedroom…”

He must have seen my horrified expression, because he said, “No, no, nothing like that…. Well…. Not quite.”

Chris took a deep, shuddering breath, “We talked for a while and I told him that I loved him…”

I wanted to say, ‘You what? Oh, I can’t believe you did that, you moron!’, but I knew better.

I sighed and braced myself for the rest of the story.

“A-and he kissed me and…. He…” Chris whimpered, his eyes glossy.

“What did he do? Tell me, Chris!” I said anxiously. Oh no, what did that creep do to my little brother???

Chris bit his lip, “He… He… He tried to…”

Chris shuddered and I put my hand on his shoulder, “Chris, Honey, please tell me.”

Wow, I sounded like Mom.

Chris nodded and bit his lip again. He stuttered, “Um…He put his hand in my pants."

My jaw dropped and Chris started bawling. He leaned onto my shoulder and I stroked his hair.

“Don’t worry,” I said soothingly, “It won’t happen again. I promise.”

I promise: Never a smart thing to say in a situation like this one, but I felt so bad for Chris. He’s just so little and helpless sometimes…

I had always had a feeling that there was something weird about Geoffry ever since I met him, but I didn’t know what it meant. I wasn’t really in an I-Told-You-So mood and, clearly, neither was Chris, so I kept quiet.

My shirt was soaked with tears. Poor Chris was sobbing his heart out as I stroked his hair and told him everything would be alright.

“Hey, Chris.” I said. He looked up at me and I said, “I don’t think we need to tell Mom about this, she’ll just worry….”

Chris looked at me in surprise, “What? N-not tell Mom?”

I nodded, “Yeah, she’ll just get all upset and… you know. So, I think we should not tell Mom. Okay?”

“Not tell Mom…” Chris tried out the alien phrase.

I nodded and smiled, “Yeah, so we can just not tell her, right?”

Chris cocked his head to the side, “You mean lie?”

I gritted my teeth, “No, we just won’t tell her…”

“Which means lying.” Chris said, looking overwhelmed, “Oh my gosh… I can’t lie to my own mother!”

I was getting annoyed now, “No, not lying! Just…. Not telling her.”

“Which is the same thing as lying!” Chris sputtered. We started arguing about whether not telling was the same thing as lying, but it didn’t last long. We sat in silence for a while.

Chris sniffed and I looked at him. He shook his head, tears refilling his eyes, “I just can’t believe Geoffry would do that to me… I thought we understood each other so well.”

He started crying like a baby again. Oh, geez… I hugged him and he cried more.

It occurred to me that if this went on, we would have to come up with some sort of excuse in order for our plan to work. If Mom saw Chris crying, she would be all over it and Chris would spill the beans and our plan would fail.

Hmm… What should I tell her? I thought, My yogurt maker broke? Lady Gaga just got killed? I don’t know!

I would come up with something, I would…. Hopefully.

I ended up telling Mom that Geoffry’s cat, who Chris knew well (he didn’t, really), had just died and that Chris was heartbroken. I know, I’m almost as bad at lying as Chris. Harper family curse.

Luckily, Mom and Dad were out to a party at their friend’s house that night. I heard the phone ring and Chris answered it. I sat down by his bedroom door, holding the other phone. I got tears in my eyes as I heard their conversation.

“B-but Chris, I didn’t do anything wrong! I mean, I’ll apologize if that’s what you want-“

“You did do something wrong, actually.” Chris’s voice had an edge to it, but was slowly faltering.

“What? What’s wrong with you? Why did you freak out like that?” I heard Geoffry say.

“Just stop talking to me, okay?” Chris was yelling now.

“Wait, Chris-” Geoffry’s voice came from the other end of the phone.

“I don’t love you anymore, comprende?” Chris yelled, his voice cracking, “Stop calling me, you pervert!”

“Oh, you don't love me now? And come on, I’m not a pervert, now please, Chris-“ Geoffry sounded anxious and desperate, but Chris had no mercy. I couldn’t blame him.

“Goodbye, Geoffry!” Chris said, choking back sobs.

“Call me tomorrow?” Geoffry said, sounding cheerier all ready.

Disgusted, Chris slammed the phone down on the receiver.

I opened Chris’s door a crack more as he sat down on his bed, his head in his hands.

I sat down next to my brother and he let out a shuddering sob. I put my arms around him and he leaned onto my shoulder, tears streaming down his cheeks. I felt so bad for Chris. I mean, yes, I had always hated Geoffry, but he made Chris so happy. Now I suspected, being as modest as he is, Chris would never talk to Geoffry again.

I wanted to say something to help, but all that seemed to come out of my mouth that night was, “It’s okay, everything is alright.”

I was gonna kill Geoffry.