"Oh god, why can't this stupid thing slip on any faster! Grr, I'm going to be late!" I yell, frustrated. While trying to squeeze into the green dress my mom had bought for me the day before.
"Pattie, sweetie. You need to relax. Or else you'll rip the dress, hurt yourself or me and thirdly, stress yourself out. You still have plenty of time." My mother had reassured.
"I know mom.I just want to make sure I'm ready and this night is full proof for not only me but the shyest boy in school. Zeke really needs to have a good night. Just like I do. My goal is to be the one to give him the opportunity of that since I seem to be the only one who's approached him in this school."
"I know honey. What you're doing is extremely thoughtful. That Jensen boy seems like a nice person. I can't lie and say something seems off about him? I've seen that red hoodie everywhere in town. He's always plastered with a distressed look on his face. Is there something going on with him?" My mom asked, worried just like me about Zeke.
My mom and I may have our differences but, the one thing we had in common was our caring personalities. Looking out for people's best interests. Luckily for my mom, her wonderful personality reeled in my father, who's also just as caring. Lorna and Ethan Clarence. Been married for over 25 years and not including the years they spent together in high school.
"I don't know mom. I am worried about him though. A lot of the time we're together he suddenly goes a little dark whenever he replies to something. Like he's directing it towards himself. When I confront him about it, he tries to cover it up as a different meaning, but I don't really buy it. There's obviously something bothering him if he slurs out things like on April 1st! I brought my cousin up and her baby. Zeke said something along the lines of 'Well, tell them I say congrats. Tell them that for me. Before what I say gets forgotten' or something like that." I paused for my mom. Before nodding, letting me know it was good to continue my story.
"Then Charlie Love came around the corner and mocked Zeke. Charlie isn't as nice of a guy as you think mom. Zeke just had his look of despair when Charlie appeared. He focused on the ground, just shutting down." I spilled to my mom. I took a moment to let her swallow in all the information.
"Oh! That's not all. I've asked Zeke a few times if he's alright and he has admitted to having a rough time right now but, yesterday something different came out of him. Don't take this the wrong way about him because he truly is an amazing person. I discovered a black eye that he was hiding behind his hair. When I got a little too close and moved some hair out the way to see it better, he lashed out at me a little. I did get too close and touched his wound. He apologized right away. Zeke said it was because of a bike accident. I saw him hunching over as he walked and dragging his feet. Like he's in pain.." I explain.
My mom looked saddened for Zeke. "You said that Charlie Love has mocked Zeke. Has it happened more than this?" She asked. I nodded.
"Charlie has kind of targeted Zeke for teasing. However, nothing more extreme than a little name-calling has happened. I think anyway." I reply.
"Honey, It appears to me that Charlie is bullying Zeke a lot worse than what you see. We could never assume how long it's been going on. Think about it, you said Zeke disappeared for the rest of the day. Suddenly the next time you see him, he's hiding his eye with his hair. A bike accident would have caused more scrapes and cuts to his face. Zeke's face would have been more bruised too. Could it be possible that Charlie did that to him? It sounds like Zeke fears Charlie too." My mom explained to me.
That does make a lot of sense. I instantly felt distressed, knowing that Zeke could possibly be in this position. "I know Zeke would report to the teachers if he was being physically bullied. I don't want to assume something that may not be true. It is possible though. I do promise to look out for him. If it's true and I see it for myself, I'll report it. Mom, you don't need to worry, won't carry on his problems for him. I just want to be a person he can count on at most." I say to my mom. She smiled proudly at me.
"I think we should change the topic because I want to be in the right mindset tonight to try and enjoy myself. Zeke included of course." I suggested.
I want to respect Zeke's privacy and let him tell me on his own time, but if I suspect something worse is going on, I'll have to step in. Even if it may anger him. I do know the signs of someone suffering. Zeke is clearly suffering. And I'm starting to get a clearer sense that maybe Charlie Love is even worse off than I ever recalled.
My mom smiled at me. "I think your father and I have raised a very kind and great daughter. Let's not continue talking about it for now. It is an important conversation to have in the future. Even teasing and harassment shouldn't be tolerated just to add." My mom noted. I smiled back at her, nodding in agreement.
I spent the last hour getting myself ready and as perfect as I could get. My hair was left down, curled just a bit at the ends to make my hair wavier. Simplistic makeup done. An earthy green shadow to match my dress. My lips were painted dark red and had worn silver accessories. Silver bangles, a basic silver chain with a heart and simple silver hoops. On my feet, I was wearing the black flats with the bows that I had picked up yesterday. That was all. Besides a little black clutch and an overcoat to keep me warm.
"Oh sweetie, you look so beautiful. Just wait until your prom! We're going to have so much fun with that!" My mom squealed happily for me.
"Mom, that's like two years away. You can relax a little. When the time comes then you can be hyper all you want." I laugh at my mother's excitement.
"A mother can dream sweetie!" She commented. I chuckled and rolled my eyes at her silliness.
"Well, I better get going. I'll keep in touch with you mom, I promise!" I yell as I make my way out of the house entirely. My mom waved me goodbye and with that, I was out.
It was only about 2:30 pm in the afternoon. I had a short distance to walk from my home to the school. The game started around 3:00 pm to 3:30 pm. Lasting until about 7:00 pm. The dance went from 7:30 pm to 11:00 pm.
I blocked out the world until I reached the school grounds and headed straight towards the football field. I felt timid because this isn't really my scene. Whenever there is a school game, I tend to steer away from these at any cost. Zeke did too. So, this was a pretty big day for Zeke and me. I wondered how we were going to meet up because I never did swap my contact information with him.
I inched closer to the bleachers, slowly looking around for any sight of Zeke. He was probably still mad at me for beating him at Pacman. The look on his face when he saw that I did a better job was priceless. Something I'll remember for a long time since this was kind of the first time I hung out with a friend who had sincere intentions. Unlike those in my past like Kiera Longbow or Barbra Cook. Or, Scott Gorden. I won't even begin to talk about that horrible person. For the sake of my mental health.
I felt a smile firmly appear on my face because I felt happy. Like a normal kid for the first time ever. My eyes had zoomed out of focus as I zoned out. From my blurry vision, I could see a tall torso in a white collared shirt, standing in front of me. I blinked a couple of times to bring my eyesight back in focus. Looking up to see it was most definitely Zeke.
He was indeed wearing a simple white collared button up, accompanied with his classic red hoodie. On his lower half he wore simple black jeans and black converse shoes. He looked neat and tidy while still being himself with comfort. Zeke's hair was somewhat slicked back a bit. A few flies are always here and there. Allowing a beautiful pair of green eyes to be on display. Zeke's right eye was no longer purple. However, the cut on his eyebrow was still present.
"Hi." I greeted awkwardly. Wanting to break the ice and the random staring.
"Hello to you as well. Seems someone was visiting another planet for a while. Didn't want to be karate chopped again. So I waited." Zeke teased. I was liking this more playful side to Zeke. He was loosening up a bit. Which was nice to see.
I rolled my eyes. "Remember that as a warning to not scare me. " I replied playfully.
"Yes ma'am!" He saluted with sarcasm.
"I swear sarcasm is like a fluent language for you because that's all that comes out of that mouth of yours, seriously though." I noted.
"That may be true. You're just as bad for being sarcastic, Patricia dearest." He taunts.
"Keep that up and it will be more than just your stomach that gets a karate chop." I threatened him out of playfulness.
His eyes pretty much popped out of both sockets with the remark he picked up on. "No! That is going way too far Pats. You know what that does to my kind. Why does the animal kingdom always have to go for the balls first?" Zeke says as if he's in pain.
"Exactly. I got two older brothers to practice my taunts with on top of it all." I wink.
"Cheeky I see. Well, I like this cheekier side to you. Watch yourself, missy, you'll get a taste of your own medicine handed right back to you." Zeke challenged.
"Pfft. We'll see when that ever happens. In what? The next millennium." My comment caused both of us to laugh at my sudden spark and sass.
"Should have found out about your sass sooner. Well sassy pants, we better find ourselves seats on the bleachers before they are all taken up." Zeke noted. I nodded in agreement as we walked up the steps of the bleachers. We decided to sit up at the top near the corner, more away from people.
"If you want, you can sit in the corner near the safety railings, so you don't feel as claustrophobic or too anxious with all the people around?" I suggested. Knowing that this was less of a common scene for him than me.
He nodded. I wanted him to feel as comfortable as he could. I knew I could deal with social interactions like this a lot better than Zeke did. When I finally sat down, I didn't realize how snug everyone would be to each other. Zeke was lucky to have a little more space since he wasn't seated next to anyone. I made sure to give him some space between us. To give him the best comfort.
I was a little claustrophobic myself. I was basically hunched into some weird ball to not touch the other person. Trying to also not show my discomfort. Which failed miserably because Zeke noticed right away. In the first fifteen minutes of the game.
"Are you alright? You don't look very comfortable all scrunched up. Which will lead to straining your spine out? Do you want the corner?" He asked.
"No, it's fine. I don't want you feeling uncomfortable. This isn't really your crowd. Just want to give you the most relaxation and carefree night you can." I muttered as I continued being stubborn.
"Well, all you're doing right now is causing me to feel uncomfortable because you're causing discomfort upon yourself. I was in crowds like this in ninth grade. Plus, this isn't really your crowd either you know. I'm not blind. You've given me quite the extra space which I don't really need. So, if you don't want the corner then just scooch in a little. There is almost enough space to fit someone between us so stop complaining. I got the nice railing to be kept away from others. I am also comfortable enough around you too, so it doesn't make much of a deal to me" Zeke scoffed. While also amused by my stubbornness. This was a side he's never seen from me.
I decided to be stubborn once more because of it. "No. Just accept the fact that you are getting that space. So, suck it up."
Zeke rolled his eyes and did something unexpected. He reached over, grabbing me by the torso and pulling my curled-up form closer to him. A little closer than expected too. Since our sides were softly touching. Feeling the warm sensation of body heat.
"Your argument is now invalid. You try to move away, I'll just simply pull you back. Creating attention towards yourself which you probably wouldn't like." Zeke said a little smug that he won this time.
"Fine. You win this time smart ass." I huffed in defeat. I decided that I should at least sit up straight if I'm here. Earning an awarding crack from the spine. Multiple more came afterward.
"I told you so!" Zeke claimed, for an ego boost.
I clapped sarcastically for pointing out the obvious. After that, I began to shimmer down and focus on the game a little. Not that I cared too much because all the attention was brought to player number 19. Aka Charlie Love. It was interesting watching all the other players. I was an active person but didn't really understand sports all that well. Except soccer. I used to play on a female soccer team during public school.
A scrawny player on the opposite team had the ball and was cornered by Charlie and one of his pals, Daniel Sappe, who was also huge. Daniel was just as much of a jerk. They ended up tackling the hell out of the poor kid. To the point where the kid was injured enough to be removed from the game for the rest of the night. Charlie preferred to tackle the smaller players and be more aggressive towards the people he targeted. Purposely going for the weaker players first.
I began making a connection to that towards the topic my mom had before I left to be here. My suspicions had only raised higher. Charlie targeted Zeke and saw him as lesser. Zeke was physically weaker looking compared to Charlie. The potential of Charlie being physical towards Zeke was more likely now. That's absolutely unacceptable! . I wasn't going to pester Zeke about my thoughts now. I'll save this for future conversations. As we become closer as time passes by, hopefully by then, Zeke would open up enough to me on his own.
I had almost forgotten to ask about the disappearance of the black eye. "Hey Zeke, not trying to be intruding but, how did your black eye just suddenly heal so fast?" I asked timidly.
He raised a brow. "It hasn't healed. Or else the cut would be gone. My sister works very well with special effects makeup and just makeup in general. I had asked her to cover it up for me. I wanted to look presentable to you. Ashley did a pretty good job of it eh?" He confessed.
"Damn, she's got good skills. Hopefully one day she becomes some sort of movie makeup artist. Awe, you're trying to doll up for me?" I added. Impressed with her work and wanting to tease Zeke a bit.
"Yeah, that's what she's aiming for," Zeke noted as he rolled his own green eyes at my teasing.
"Cool. And good for her." Was all I had to say.
After another few moments of silence and watching the game, I felt something softly snake around behind my neck and shoulders. Zeke's arm had found its way around me. His hand rested comfortably on my shoulder. I was taken back by his sudden action because we've never been physical with each other. Only the occasional tap on the arm or shoulder to alert that we're right behind each other.
I personally haven't been touched like that since my grade eighth year...and wasn't planning on letting anyone be affectionate like this for personal reasons, for a very long time. I felt comfortable around Zeke, I knew he would never hurt me. Nor trying to make me feel uncomfortable so I went with it. Zeke had no ill intentions and it was kind of nice.
Obviously, he had his flaws, and everyone had their bad days but, he had a good motive. He definitely wasn't a vile person like Scott Gorden. The very example of scum on this planet. I knew better than to linger my thoughts on him too long, to not take the chance of a sudden panic attack or relapse.
I just sat back, fully relaxed within the arms of Zeke Jensen. And watched the game away as he leaned his head onto mine when I had leaned right into his warm embrace. Happy that I was able to enjoy a social outing with someone who considered me a friend back. Someone I could trust, who can trust me in return too. Zeke was real, imperfectly perfect and a genuine person. Much like myself.