-Still Tim's Point of View.-
I woke up the next morning and do my morning routine. After that I stayed in my room until Ten in the morning. I was about to go out when Someone knocking on my door.
"Tim?" I heard Cody's Voice so I hurriedly open the door for him. "Can you go to The market with Ami for today?" He asked me as long as i open the door.
"Why me? I thought Kyle and Nate will come with her?" Last night at Dinner, Nate and Kyle Offer to help her going to market since meats are heavy to carry.
He sigh and massage the bridge of his nose. "Kyle and Nate went to San Jose, they're supposedly coming with her today but they need to attend their meeting with President Warren and I don't know why."
I massage my chin. "How about Theo? I'm sure he'll love the idea." I suggest.
He sigh. "Theodore and Brian went to Venzor Field for Brian's Brother's birthday party and they'll come back here by tomorrow or later at night. Alex and I Can't come with her because we'll be going to Richford Village to pick up the fresh fruit and veggies so we won't buy at the grocery." He said.
"How about you dropped her to the market before leaving?" I suggest. It's not like I don't wanna be with her, I just don't know how to face her. "And let her carry the heavy bags of meat by herself?" Cody asked. "I don't know why or what reason you have for refusing to accompany her to the market but I hope this day will help you guys to get along."
I sigh and look away. "Look Tim, I'm not dense or numb to feel what is going on. I'm just asking you to accompany her. If you don't want to talk with her. It's fine with her. And remember, We promise Manager Earo to Help her even in tiny things."
"Cody will be late Come On!" Alex shouted somewhere. Before I could decide whether to come with her or not, Cody Left. "I'm counting on you Tim. And please Don't locked up yourself here. Get some fresh Air." He said while leaving.
I sigh and close the door. Now I'm stuck with her here. I hope All of them came home quickly. I don't wanna talk to her. I'm not upset anymore but what I said to her the day I saw our personal files is really embarrassing. I never said something like that to a girl, And beside she's a great gir- no scratch that- she's a great woman.
But something was off to her with Cody. We all get along if we're together but if you leave both of them on a room, it will be awkward or chaotic. I sigh, maybe it's just my imagination.
I shook my head and open my luggage then started looking for my black hoodie and Denim pants and wear with the pair of white shoes to complete my outfit. I grab some Facemask and also my phone before coming out straight to the living room.
I was waiting there for five minutes for Her and she came out of the Dinning Area.
"Oh my God!" He exclaimed out of shock and she accidentally drop her phone that Theo Gave. Her hand was place in her chest while slightly gasping. "What is your problem?" I peevishly asked then took her phone on the floor.
I handed her that and She gently take it from my hand and put it in her small bag. "Thanks and sorry. By the way I'm Going to the mar--"
"I'm coming with you." I stated. Surprise was written all over her face as I said that. Of course Timothy, Who's person is not gonna be surprised with your statement when that person knows you're upset? Dumb.
"O-okay then l-let's go?" she asked stammering. Argh I hate this. I don't like to see someone being intimidated by me or by my presence. We went out of the house after she locked the back door of the house.
"There's no Car around so probably we'll be taking Taxi. Is it okay with you if we walk out of the village?" She asked. I put my Facemask and nodded. She smiled at me. This is the one thing I like about her, She' is Always Considerate with others.
We're walking down the village since the taxi isn't allowed to come inside of Lewis village since it's exclusive. "Ami about what happened..." I said then stop walking. She also stop and look at me.
I sigh. I couldn't find any word to say. Why am I being like this? Argh. I sigh again and close my eyes when I felt her hand carresing my arms. "Tim it's fine. No need to say Sorry. I understand why you're upset. I just felt sad because you didn't gave me the chance to explain myself to you."
I look up to her and she's smiling. "It's fine. I'm sorry too, I couldn't approach you because I'm still Weighing your mood." She added
"No. I'm at my fault. I mean, You're older than me. I became mean and disrespect you that time and it's inappropriate." I said. "It's fine. Really." She assures.
"Aren't you Mad?" She shook hee head. "Who am I to get Mad? And besides It taught me something."
I nodded as We continue to walk until we reach the bus stop. "Are we okay now?" She asked as we are waiting for the Taxi.
"I guess. I felt comfortable now." I said and smile at her. While waiting I was just looking at my phone. Avoiding people's eyes.
"Is that Timothy?" One of the group of girls whispered to her friends. "I think so?" The girl two replied. "It's not him. Believe me. After The Theodore Thompson Incident with a girl, they probably left Lewis right away." I sigh and look at Ami who's busy with her phone too.
I repulsed her by using my foot on her foot that's why she look at me. I look at the group of girls who's staring at me. She smile and sat next to me. As in our hips is touching. She wrapped her arms around mine and place her head on it.
"Sorry Babe. Please forgive me." She said sweetly that made me confuse. I blink my eyes several times as she look at me with open eyes. She smile. "This is just an act for them not to be suspicious of you." She said while smiling awkwardly.
I cleared my throat and replied. "Its fine babe. Don't worry about it." I said in a low tone voice.
As soon as I said that, The group of girls went in to the bus that came. And When the Bus is gone Ami pull out her arms around mine but not minding being next to me.
"That was close." I stated. She laugh and agreed with me.
"Did Cody told you to come with me?" She asked. "Well Yeah. He did." I answer her. She smile.
"Sorry about that. My excuse are lame just to make those girl look away from you." she Apologize. I smile. "Actually it worked. They look away. Nice one there." I said then laugh. She also laugh.
The Taxi we booked arrive and we went off to the Lewis Market, According to her it's cheaper than the Mall and it's fresher than the meats in the mall. She's so talkative like She told me how she fell off the swing last night because Theodore accidentally scare her. How they didn't notice the time as they talking. How Brian lost himself while looking for the playground, And so on. I just laugh at her because she really know how to accompany someone. I hope I had that trait.
"No wonder why Theodore like to hangout with you." I said out of nowhere. She smile. "Why you say that?" She asked shyly.
As we arrive at the market. Its so good. Its systematic. "Wow. I swear I've never seen a Market like this. No wonder why Lewis Market is popular among the T.V shows." I said.
"Well that's what people of Lewis is proud of." She stated. "Let's go and buy some fresh meat. Let's see how good you are about choosing a fresh one."
My Eyes Got bigger at her. "How'd you know about that?" She shrugged her arms. "Well Alex is bragging about that earlier before they left for Richford. Even Cody agreed with him."
I sigh. "Shall we Come inside?" She asked while offering me her hand. I smile and put it in my arms. "Yeah. Let's go." We came inside of the Market. Not everyone but most people we're passing by is greeting her. She greet them back with a smile on her face. Other even saying she look beautiful or any compliments, Others is asking if I am her boyfriend. Of course she Said no and told them I am her friend and she just lied about me having a cough that's why I'm wearing a mask. As we arrive at the Meat shop that has a close sign on the door. She look at me and smile.
"You can take that off." She pointed at my facemask. "No one will take a photo of you here. The Owner Close it just for us. Mrs. Richford asked him and she agreed."
I smile at her and we enter the meat shop.
"Go ahead and choose meats. I'll talk to them about how kilo we're gonna take." I agreed with her and started roaming around the mini market, its just meat shop but they look like a convinience store, The difference is This shop is packed of freezers and take note its cold inside.
I took a basket and wait for her to come out of the office. After a minute or two she's shock as she saw me where she left me. "I need to know how kilo the meats we're going to buy." I said before she even asked.
"Sorry. I should have told you before. So dumb of me." She handed me a piece of paper that has a list of meats we're gonna buy.
As soon as I saw it, I started choosing. She was just looking at me and being entertained by choosing the right one.
"Why are we having so much meat?" I asked her. "Alex and Cody asked me to buy that. But I did not asked them why."
I nodded and continue choosing. As soon as we're Done, She paid for it at the counter. "It's already lunch. Shall we eat here or let's cook at home?" She asked me. "It's convenient to eat here than to go home and cook but how about the meats?".
She drag me to the office door and knock. The door open and we saw a middle age woman. "Ami? why?" She asked. "Well Mrs. Perry can I leave the meats for a while here? My friend and I forgot to eat breakfast And its already 11:30 am. We're just gonna grab some food." She asked politely.
"Take your time as much as you want." She said. "I'll tell the worker to put it in the freezer inside." For us to thank her I reveal myself and I told her I'm gonna give her my autograph and she can post it in her door. She happily agreed.
"So where do you want to eat?" She asked after we went out at Mrs. Perry's Shop. "Take me to the best for you. I'm not picky when it comes to food." I said. She hold my wrist and started dragging me.
"Well Alex Told me you love chicken so I'm going to take you to the unli fried chicken shop." As soon as we come inside she asked for a private room for two. It's not really necessary but maybe she just doesn't wanna attract people.
"Are you scared that people may harm you?" I asked as soon as the waiter took our orders and went out. "No. Just protecting you. I don't want you to be on the same issue as Theo." She reasoned out. I smile.
"You don't have to do that. Beside costumer are busy munching their food so they won't notice me."
She smile at me after pouring water on my cup. "Well, Too late to complain. We're already here." I sigh and smile. I gave up.
As soon as the fried chicken arrive with rice and juice, I dig in. I even blowing the chicken because it's hot.
"Be careful Tim. You'll burn your tongue." But I did not care about what she said and started eating. I'm really hungry right now so I'm eating.
She's also eating and whenever the chicken is in half of plater she'll call for another plater. I keep eating and munching the chicken.
There's Four flavor of chicken, The Original or usual chicken, The Parmesan Cheese, Garlic Honey Glaze and Buttered Flavor.
"This is Good Ami. Can we comeback here with the guys?" I asked after we ate. We're just sitting here, waiting for our tummy to settle down. "Yeah. Of course. I'll arrange it because you asked me too." She gladly said.
After that We took the bags of meats, leave the shop my autograph sign and went home. She even take out Five bucket of chicken for the guys. And take note Each buckets has a Fifteen Chicken Wings part and it's not a normal chicken wings, its like a medium size of a wings.
As soon as we arrive I put the bags of meat in the kitchen and she started placing them properly at the freezer. While she's busy there I went to my room to change my clothes and went to the living room downstairs.
"Hey I'm gonna do something at my house. Can you stay here alone?." She asked me as soon as she went out of the dining room. "Oh. You already change your clothes." She notice my white round necked shirt a pair of light brown short and a slipper.
I shrug my arms. "Yeah. Pants made me feel hot by the way How about I come with you? I don't easily get scared but being alone is lonely."
"Okay then let's go?" My eyes got bigger. "As in now?" She looked confused at me. "Yeah. It's just two blocks away from here."
I look around and saw Theodore's Hat on the couch beside me. I put it on after we went out of the house. "Do you need something that's why you're visiting your own house?" I asked.
She look at me after rummaging the plastic bag of chips and so on. "No. I just need to clean it since It's been eight days when I last visited my house."
"Would you mind if I ask you some questions?" She shook her head. "No. I won't."
"If you're a childhood friend of Alex. It means that you're also living in Richford before?" She stop walking and Look at me nervously. "It's okay if you don't want to answer. I'll respect that."
I continue walking when she grab my arms. "Thank you for respecting but I was just contemplating you know but since You got curious then I'll answer your question..."
We continue walking after than. "Yeah, I used to live in Richford with my family."
"Why did you leave then?" She cleared her throat and smile weakly. "Let's say for someone I thought would take me and love me cause I fought for him with my family."
"He didn't fight for you?" I nodded. "Yeah kind of..." She handed me the banana milk she bought. "..He chooses his dreams over me for his family but it's fine, Things are all worth it."
I nodded. "Sorry. That's was TMI." She look at me so confuse. "To much information?" I smile. "Yeah. You know..."
"Well what I have in my hand is TMI too so We're even." She smile and I shook my head. "No. It's nothing compare to yours. You're living alone all this time and no one was beside you."
Her smile came back, the brighter one. "Well That's not true. All along I have my brother. My step brother I mean."
"And your proud of having a step brother?" I asked. I mean it's ridiculous to accept that one of your parents cheated on their partner. "No of course but our parents mistake wasn't ours. Something happened that's why we're half siblings but he treated me like I am his own little sister."
I nodded. "Then you're wealthy right?" She still smiling. "Well that's my parents, Not mine so no, I'm not wealthy."
We took the right way and I saw a Black Gate. She insert the key and open it. "Welcome to my humble place Tim." She said as soon as we went inside. It's for a one family that consist of Four to five members. The path ways have big flatted rock. The left side is the Swing for two and the right side is for the long table with a chair attached on it. "This is Nice. You have your own swing and a table and chairs, Nice." I Complement.
After that She told me to remove my shoes before going inside. I was told so I did what she said and went inside. The room is really simple. The living room is not the usual living room we know. Its has a two single couches, round table in the center that has a magazine under it and a small flower vase at top and a long Couch. Instead of T.V, in front of it is a Book shelves. It has a lot of book in it.
"Did you read all of this?" I asked when i came closer to it and while she went to the room I guess because she took a bag from it. "Yeah. Why?"
"Really?" I was shock at her words. "isn't in my personality?" I shook my head. "No. Don't get the wrong idea but This is so much more."
Okay. Am I exaggerated? Well you'll be shock for real because it has Ten rows of shelves that consist of Twenty to Twenty five books each row. "Actually I have more inside of my Room."
She went out after clearing the dust inside. I sat on the couch and put my foot on the couch since she's cleaning the living room.
"Sorry, I only have an electric fan." She said while stopping it in front of me. I said okay and went to her room. "Ami! You have the same Shelves here too? and its almost full!" I exclaimed.
I heard her laugh and went inside to fix the comforter of her bed. I help her so it could be done in no time. Actually its not bed because the matress is on the floor.
"Well actually..." She said then went to a mini closet and pull one box. "...I have plenty of books here so I need to buy another shelves." She said after opening the box.
"Kyle would definitely love to visit your home because of these." I said while taking out some of her book because she's putting it on the shelves.
After that We went to the Yard and sat on the swing while eating the junk foods she bought earlier. "Here. Take this." She said while handling me the key of her house. "Its a spare key and its only you who have the access in this house from now on aside from me."
I look at her. "Why? I mean, we only know each other for a week then you'll trust me wi--.."
"Because I trusted You." She cut my word. "And Honestly, I want you to trust me and let me help you. Even in smaller things."
I was stunned. "So what happened today, you planned this?"
"No. I did not planned this. Never in my wildest dream of planning to get someone's trust, I just thought if someone trusted you enough then you'll trust someone the same way." She said.
On the way home we were silent. No one dared to talk. Maybe she's waiting for me to tell her or maybe she wants me to asked her. Ugh! I don't know!
"I can hear you thinking. What is it?" She asked. I sigh and stop walking. "Why did you trust me with this?" I asked her while looking at the key in my hand.
"Because you deserve it?." She smile at me and continue walking.
I ran after her and grab her arms.
"Ami, I know you want to help me but---..."
"Can I asked you something?" I stopped talking as soon as she throw me that question look on her eyes. "Why is it so hard for you to tell the truth?"....
As soon as we cane back at the house, I went straight to the dinning where I saw Cody and Alex munching the chicken. "Where we're you?" He asked. "I took him to my house." Ami said after placing the plastic bag on the table.
"And you're still not talking to her?" Alex asked. I smile. "We're okay now. She took me to the best fried chicken shop."
"I'm not convince. Hug her." My eyes got bigger at Alex's suggestion. Ami just laugh and push him lightly before taking two chicken on the bucket they're eating. "Here." I took it and started munching.
"Ami..." She look at me with a smile. "Can you help me prepare a dinner for us. I wanted to talk to them." I whispered.
She gave me and okay sign. "Sure. I told you earlier right.?"
"I want you to trust me and help you. Even in smaller things." We said in sync and laugh.
As soon as We're done at the dinning Nate and Kyle arrive and eat. After that they went to their respective room so Ami and I prepare the dinner.
Theo and Brian arrive when we're done placing the food on the set table. The two guys who just arrive went to their room and took a shower.
"So are you ready to tell them?" I sigh and look at Ami. "Hey You know what a guy name Santosh Kalwar said?"
I look at her with curiosity. "Trust Yourself And You Will Start To Trust Others."
I smile at her and called everyone.
"Whoa! Why is it so many dishes?" Brian asked. "Should I leave you on your own? Maybe you can tell them what you wanna say." Ami asked me instead of answering Brian's question.
"No. You stay. You're a bigger part of this thing I'm going to do."
Brian's Head pop out between me and Tim and he's eyeing on us. "When are you two make up?" Theo asked out of nowhere.
"At the bus station." Ami said. I slightly push Brian's head so I can clearly see Theo who's crossing his arms and leaning on the wall.
"Shall we Eat? I'm hungry again." Nate said while passing by at the hallway with Kyle, Cody and Alex who's laughing at him.
"We just ate for 2 hours yet you're still hungry?" Kyle asked jokingly.
I prepare some food such us Seafood Paella, Beef Lasagna, Buttered Toast with Honey Glaze, and Mexican Tacos while Ami made different kinds of Sushi, A bowl of Salad and Vanilla Ice Cream so we can add any flavor they want.
"What's with the feast?" Cody asked. I sigh and stand up. "Before we eat I wanted to tell you something..."
I sigh nervously and Look at Ami. "You can do it."
"Well Earlier I asked Ami if why he trusted me with her house key.." I said and shows them the key I've been keeping in my pocket. Ami even shake her head slightly while Theo look at her sulky while pouting.
"You have your own house?" Nate and Kyle asked in sync. She nodded and gestures fir me to continue. ".... But before telling you what happened earlier I want you to know that I'm struggling.."
Aside from Ami, All of them look at me in shock. I'm not a person who's vocal about my feelings.
"...I'm sorry for telling you this over this feast but my fear is getting bigger and bigger. Its hard for me to see all of you struggling on your own without even telling Anyone about your problems. I know it's not my problem but Guys All of you, You're now my brother and I want you to open up all your issues, because I want you guys to trust anyone so they can help you even in smaller things. I trusted Ami that's why I'm telling you this. I hope all of you overcome that and we will rise again together." I said
"As Older here, Even if It's hard to accept, I'm sorry Tim, Sorry for not reaching out on you when you needed me the most. Don't worry from now on we will face our own problem with each other. Right?" Alex said then Came to me and gave me a manly hug.
It's sounds gay but I cried in his arms. I never thought of trusting myself to tell them what I truly feel will lead into this. We all share the group hug and Theo and Brian even slap my back as an assurance.
"Is this why you prepare this feast?" Cody Asked. I only Nodded and keep wiping my tears falling on my face.
They we're saying sorry and so on but Ami caught my Eyes, When everyone notice I'm looking at her direction all of them look at her to and She's just on her seat looking at us with a genuine smile on her lips and a tears in her eyes.
Then I remembered what she told me earlier..
FLASHBACK
"Why is it so hard for you to tell the truth?"
I was stunned there and unable to say Anything.
"Timothy, Your trust Should be bigger than your Fear not the other way around, Because If you Trust Yourself Even for once, You will learn to Start Trusting them and They will also Trust you the same way how you Trust yourself..." She Grab my hand that's holding her house key and open it. We saw a Key resting on my palm "...You're the one who's holding the Key to open the door for them to realize that there's anything they can do to face their problems. It's just A problem, and they are bigger than that."
END OF FLASHBACK
"Why did you decided to open up this?" Cody asked after we sat.
I look at Ami and smile. "Because someone told me this "My Trust should be bigger than my Fear."
While Eating Ami and I happened to look at one another I smile at her and mouthed that made her shock.
"Thank You." I smile at her.