|| Arabella ||
"We look like a group of Kpop idols," I muttered under my breath, trying to pull my hoodie as low as possible while the students gossiped about us.
"I bet even they don't try this shitty color," Theo responded.
"I swear if Coral cancels the date because—"
Just as Wyatt started to take Coral's name, she popped out. Speak of the devil. "Oh, my God! Theo, what's that hair color?"
She noticed Theo's hair first because he didn't wear a cap or hoodie to cover it, proudly showing off that even neon green looked good on him. He was confident, but still an eyesore.
"Thought of trying a unique color." Theo ran a hand through his hair, and Coral laughed.
"I'm running." Wyatt tried to slip behind me, but I held him in place by the strap of his bag.
I wasn't going to drown alone, hun.
"Oh, but why don't you take a look at Wyatt? He looks the best in it," Theo jostled, and Coral looked at Wyatt.
She squinted her eyes before flipping off the cap from his head, bursting out laughing, while Theo did the honor of pulling down my hoodie, making her laugh even more.
"A-are you guys tripleting or what?"
I smiled painfully and nodded.
"You should have told me too," she said.
"Oh, you want to?" I grinned evilly.
"No, thank you." Coral put a hand in between us to stop me from approaching, stifling her laugh.
I started to say, "You should—"
"What are you guys laughing at them for?" Coral snapped, shutting up everyone in the hallway who had been making fun of us.
"They are just jealous that they won't ever look half as good as us with this color," Theo quipped.
"Exactly, and even if they look bad, you guys don't get to laugh at them. Only I can," Coral declared. She has always been quite confident around the crowd and very protective of the people she cared about. I loved these qualities about her.
A red-haired girl came out of the crowd and started accusing, "Oh, really? We get your relationship with Annabelle—"
"It's Arabella!" I interrupted.
"Whatever. Your name's Annabelle," the girl continued to say.
I shot a death glare at Theo for being the reason for this. He raised his hands in surrender, shooting me a sheepish grin.
'So Coral, we understand your friendship with Annabelle. What about Wyatt and Theo?"
I wondered what this girl's problem was. She must like Wyatt and be pissed at Coral for the stunt Wyatt pulled yesterday.
As usual, Coral got tongue-tied. She couldn't name her relationship with anyone. She was even hesitant to call me her unbest friend. I knew Theo and her were pretty good buddies from their few combined classes, and Wyatt was a whole other story.
'We are two people who like to gossip with each other in class and fight over who is the worst teacher of our school," Theo said nonchalantly and high-fived Coral, who gave him a thankful smile.
But I could see that she was nervous about what Wyatt would reply. Their relationship was complex. They were dating. At the same time, they were not.
However, something unexpected happened next.
Wyatt slung an arm over Coral's shoulder without any hesitation. He looked into her eyes deeply and said, 'I like her a lot." Then he kissed her forehead and turned to the questioning girl, 'Anything else you want to say?"
I could see the faint blush forming on Coral's cheeks. She must have been touched by him not claiming as her boyfriend.
Way to go, Wyatt!
'N-no," the girl said and cowered away. Slowly, the crowd dissipated, leaving us alone.
Wyatt unwrapped his arm around Coral, and she said, 'Thanks, you guys I'm sorry I don't have the courage to give a title to—"
'Hey, it's fine. So what if you feel pressured to name a relationship? You will get over it someday," Wyatt assured.
'And what if you don't? It doesn't matter—"
Theo cut me off and said, 'It kinda does. She can't be calling her husband the guy who owns half of her house. No, wait, she won't even be able to tie knots with him, to begin with."
I was about to scold him, but Coral spoke up, 'Honestly, Theo is right. I need to get over this."
'And take all the time you want. I'll wait," Wyatt reassured, and she smiled at him.
I was watching curiously as the two of them stared at each other.
Suddenly, Theo started dragging me away by the elbow. 'Hey, where are you taking me?" I protested.
'Read the mood, idiot. That's a perfect moment to kiss," Theo responded, and my mouth formed into an O.
As we walked, he lowered his hand from my elbow to my wrist, holding it firmly. It made something flutter in my stomach. Maybe it was at the thought of my best friend and roommate kissing.
'Do you think they are going to kiss?" I asked to divert my mind off our adjoined hands.
'Yes, they are totally going to ask me before doing it," he replied sarcastically.
Instead of giving a comeback, my full focus remained on our hands. His touch felt good. But I wanted to entwine my fingers with him like that day we did near the lake. I don't know what was happening to me, but I was starting to want these couple-ish things with Theo.
Maybe my teen hormones were messing with me.
———
'God, this was the worst four days of my life," Theo exclaimed, throwing his jacket on the couch. 'Those damn brats!"
I laughed and said, 'Three more days to go."
The kids in our building would laugh at us and ask us if we were color-blind every time they saw us on the elevator.
'Day after tomorrow is Thanksgiving, and I look like a broccoli. Can you believe this?"
'Yes, I did that to you," I responded cheekily as he plopped down on the couch. 'But hey, at least everyone will laugh at Wyatt too."
"Well, that's comforting," he deadpanned.
We had just gotten back from watching a movie with Wyatt and Coral. They went on a walk to the park while he came back.
All of a sudden, the calling bell rang up. I went to get the door and was surprised to see Ian.
"Hey, it's been a long time," I greeted.
"Um, do you happen to know anyone named Arabella? She is a normal girl with light brown hair," he asked, looking around.
"Very funny." I flashed him a tight-lipped smile and opened the door wider for him to enter.
He gave me a brief side hug and entered. "Seriously, I don't understand you teens. Dyeing is oka— Theo, what the hell?" Ian exclaimed and started to laugh at his nephew.
"Hahaha. Laugh all you want. But just so you know, your son looks like us too," Theo grumbled.
"What?" Ian laughed even more.
"Would you like something to drink, Ian?" I asked politely.
"Some coffee would be nice," he said and sat on the couch beside Theo. I nodded and went to the kitchen to make three cups of coffee.
When I came back, Theo and Ian were engaged in what seemed like a serious conversation.
"—no, no, it's fine. I'm really not upset," Theo said to Ian, though disappointment was written all over his face.
"What's the matter?" I asked in curiosity, placing the coffee tray on the table.
Ian released a deep sigh. "It's just that my brother can't come for Thanksgiving, and Theo really wanted to see him this time around."
"Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that. But why can't he come?"
"He's got some stupid important party to attend," Theo complained like a child who didn't get his Christmas present.
"You said you weren't upset," Ian pointed out.
"I am not." Theo stood up and took his mug. "This is all so stupid." Grumbling like that, he went back inside his room.
Ian chuckled at his childishness.
I sat on the beanbag and took my coffee mug. "Is it really not possible for Uncle Albert to come here?" I asked.
Ian raised an eyebrow in amusement. "I see that Theo has told you about him."
I smiled fondly. "Actually, he has told me a lot. Mr. Albert is like his dad. He even told me he wants to work in his company as a statistician with his own qualifications."
'Theo wants to be a statistician?"
'Yes, he didn't tell you?"
Ian shook his head. 'No, he always says he hasn't decided yet."
Then why did he tell me?
'But that's good, at least. He is thinking about the future then. I'm relieved." Ian smiled, but it seemed sad.
'Is something wrong?" I asked in a quiet voice.
He sighed. 'It's just... Sometimes I wish I could have been there for him more. I don't know if he told you, but his childhood wasn't pretty."
'Oh." I didn't know what to say, but my heart clenched at the thought of Theo getting hurt in the past.
'But that's all behind now. He's happy now, so I'm happy," Ian chirped, and I forced a smile.
We talked a bit more over coffee until I dragged Theo out of his room to bond with his uncle more.
'Oh, Arabella, I didn't ask. What are you doing for Thanksgiving? Did your aunt invite you?" Ian inquired, and my smile faded.
I played with my fingers as I felt embarrassed to say, 'She hasn't contacted me yet, so I'm guessing I'm not invited."
'Well, then we get to keep you. Their loss," Theo said.
'Oh, no, I would be an outsider in your family reunion."
'C'mon, Arabella. You're practically family already. You're more than welcome to join us. Plus, it would be nice to have a girl with us," Ian insisted.
'Yes, spare me from doing all the cooking alone," Theo added.
I couldn't help but smile.
At the same time, I felt overwhelmed that someone wanted me around on Thanksgiving. It meant a lot to me. Every year, my mom and I would get invited by my aunt, but they all used to give us cold-shoulders as if they didn't even want us around. But then Mom and I used to have a blast after we got home. God, I miss her...
'Okay, thank you. I'll come," I mumbled, feeling tears sting my eyes. 'Excuse me for a minute," I said and went to the kitchen to fan the moisture in my eyes.
I was facing the refrigerator and crying silently when someone placed a hand on my shoulder. 'Are you crying?"
'N-no."
Theo turned me around to face him. 'Why are you crying?"
'I just feel a little emotional, that's all" I couldn't meet his eyes.
'Do you miss your mom?" he asked, and I nodded. The next thing he did, surprised me.
He pulled me into a hug.
My breath hitched when the musky cologne of his hit my nostrils. A strong sense of comfort washed me over when his arms wrapped around me like a shield.
'Do you want to talk about it?" he asked gently, caressing my hair. I shook my head in response. 'Alright. But just know that when I said I'll listen when you want to talk, I meant it. I'm here for you."
I nodded while a smile formed on my lips. I snaked my arms around him and let my tears out.
"It's my first Thanksgiving without Mom. She and I used to…" The words were just rolling out on their own accord.
I didn't know why I was being vulnerable with him. As if I wanted to show him my weak sides and wanted him to accept me either way.
But why did I want that? Why from Theo?
These unknown new desires were starting to confuse me so much.
Mom, what should I do?
