Pretend

by Charlene Antrobus

  "Yes, well I understand and I hope that she gets better," I replied, knowing that it was probably unlikely from the look on mom's face.

  "Me too angel. We'll be out there for a week or two depending on the situation," she continued.

  "Well I'll be fine, I don't want you guys worrying about me whilst you're out there. I'm a big girl," I replied in serious tone.

  "Oh, we're not worried about you sweetheart, we've already sorted that out, you'll be happy to know," she said with a smile on her face.

  "You have?"

  "Yes, I spoke to Susan this morning and she said that you can spend the week at hers.”

  "What!" I screamed in shock.

  "Well sweetheart, I thought that you'd be happy. It'll be just like when you and Crystal were young and you used to have sleepovers," she said in a gentle tone.

  "Yeah but I'm old enough to look after myself, I don't need babysitting," I pleaded as I thought about having to spend all that time living under the same roof as Aiden.

  "Yes and we know that but it would make me much happier if you weren't all alone in that house. At least at Susan's you will have Aiden and Crystal, which will give me peace of mind. I thought you'd be happy anyway?" She asked.

  "I am," I replied dryly. I was lying of course.

  "Good. You can go home and pack, our flights in five hours so you'll have more than enough time to get some things together," she said in a chirpy voice.

  "Yeah.”

  Great! A whole week living with Aiden, there goes my plans of avoiding him.

  This was going to be a disaster...

  As I stepped inside of my house, I quickly ran upstairs so that I could think of a plan. A whole week or maybe two under the same roof as Aiden was not what I had planned. I wasn't sure how he was going to act after our little run in earlier. What if Crystal started to pick up on something? Oh gosh, I needed a way to get out of this and fast.

  Suddenly I felt the familiar vibration of my phone.

  A whole week at mine!!! EXCITED!! Hurry up and get your butt over here so that I can make you look sexy for your date tonight. Oh and I told Jake that you’re staying here so he already knows where to pick you up xx

  Oh great, I had totally forgotten about Jake, again. I did that a lot lately. Now that Crystal was so excited, I was even more nervous.

  * * *

  It didn't take me long to pack my things, which was good as I needed as much time as possible to make a new plan.

  "That was quick," Bob said as I jumped down the last step with my baby blue, mini suitcase in my hand.

  "Yeah," I said as I forced a smile onto my face.

  "Hey, Mom, I was thinking, wouldn't it be nice if I kept Uncle Harry company whilst you guys were gone?" I asked as I had my fingers crossed behind my back for luck.

  "Uncle Harry? He's watching Tilly, that's enough company to last him a lifetime with how hyper she can be."

  "Yeah but I'm sure that human company is better," I said.

  "I don't know. Don't you want to stay at Susan's?" She asked suspiciously.

  "No it's not that but I just feel like I might over stay my welcome," I replied.

  "You used to stay there much longer than a week when you guys were kids," she said as she continued to write out a list, on a piece of paper.

  "Yeah but we were little then, I guess that Crystal and Aiden might need a bit more space now," I lied.

  I knew that Crystal would be over the moon to have me stay and Aiden was hardly going to care with his new found 'feelings'.

  "I suppose you have a point. Maybe I can ask Uncle Harry then," she said as she picked up the house phone.

  Result! This was easier than I thought. Crystal would be mad but it was worth it. I couldn't be around Aiden for that long, it was just too dangerous.

  "Hey, Harry, you ok?" I heard my mom say as I jumped into the chair next to her, so that I could hear the whole conversation.

  "Hey, sis," he said. It sounded as though he had just taken a sip of something. Knowing him, it would be beer.

  "April was wondering if you wanted her to come and keep you company whilst we all went away?" She asked as she threw me a smile.

  "Yeah sure," I heard him say.

  Woahhhhh! She shoots, she scores.

  "Ok, great, well we're heading to Mom's and then I'll drop her round later ok?"

  "Yup," he said as he let out a disgusting, sounding burp.

  "And Harry?"

  "Yup," he replied.

  "Please take care of my baby," she said with a slight look of panic on her face.

  "Of course," he replied.

  "Good. See you in a bit," my mom said before hanging up the phone.

  "Right, that's that then. We'll take you to see your grandma and gramps and then drop you there, ok?"

  "Yeah, great," I said as a huge smile filled my face.

  * * *

  I almost burst into song in the car as I realised how easily I had saved myself earlier. It felt good to succeed.

  "Turn that up please," I asked as I heard Justin Bieber's song, Boyfriend playing on the radio. I love this song. When Bob and Mom weren't looking I even broke out into a little happy dance. Yes!

  I came to a halt when I realised that Bob was singing along.

  "You know this?" I asked as I burst into laughter.

  "Of course, I'm down with the kids. Me and Baba go way back," he said as he continued to sing and click his head from side to side just as I remember Chris Tucker doing in rush hour. Embarrassing.

  "Bob, it's Bieber not Baba," I said as the tears started to roll down my cheeks as I laughed uncontrollably. This was definitely YouTube worthy, how did I not film this?

  "Oh, you know what I mean," he said, winking at me in the rear view mirror.

  "Oh Bob concentrate on the road and stop shaking your neck before you get whiplash," my mom said as she looked at Bob as though he were crazy.

  I literally couldn't stop laughing. Bob and my mom were one of the funniest couple's that I knew. Well next to Jay and Michael from My Wife and Kids, no one was as funny as them.

  It wasn't long before we arrived at Gramps and Grandma's and I couldn't wait to see them before they went.

  "Hey Grandma," I said as I ran into her arms.

  "Hello, sweetheart. Now is it me or have you grown since I last seen you?" She asked as she began to adjust her glasses.

  "No, I don't think so, it has only been two days since you last seen me," I said as I giggled.

  "You'd be surprised what can grow in that short space of time, take Bob's belly for example," she said as we both burst out laughing.

  "You do know that I can hear you Moms?" Bob said as he walked through the front door and into the living room to join us.

  "Oh, your belly is no secret Bob, don't worry, I wasn't trying to whisper," she said as she winked at me.

  My Grandma was amazing, she never failed to make me laugh.

  "Hey Gramps," I said as I gave him a little squeeze.

  "Ssssh Kelsey, I'm watch a new episode of touched by an angel and you're making me miss the most important bit," he said.

  He made us all laugh because this was probably the hundredth time that he'd watched this single episode. We never corrected him though. It would have only caused him more confusion.

  "Now, I hope that my favourite granddaughter is going to look after herself whilst we're gone?" Grandma asked as she looked me dead in the eyes.

  "Of course," I said as I sat in the chair next to her and threw my legs over hers.

  "I'm staying with Uncle Harry, what could possible go wrong?" I said with a smile on my face.

  "Please don't force me to answer that, I might have a heart attack," she replied as she touched my nose with her index finger.

  "That reminds me, I must phone Susan before we leave to tell her about the change of plans. Make sure that you remind me before we go," Mom said as she stood to her feet.

  "Ok," I replied.

  "Right, I'm off to
the little ladies room," she said before exiting through the door.

  "So, how's Aunt May?" I asked in a more serious tone.

  "Not too good sweetheart. We just have to try and make her last days comfortable," she replied as she tried to force back the tears that had now glazed over her eyes.

  "I'm sorry Grandma," I said as I gave her a tight squeeze.

  "Oh, it'll be ok, we all have our time on this earth and it has to come to end. She will be at peace with God, don't worry," she said as she winked at me.

  "Anyway, enough about us oldies, tell me about that handsome young man of yours," she said as a smile crept onto her lips.

  "What handsome young man?" I asked with a confused expression on my face.

  "Aiden of course. He has grown up lovely and I must say you two are quite the couple. You were so cute when we were all playing charades," she said.

  "Oh no, Grandma, Aiden's not my boyfriend, he's just a friend. Well he's my best friend’s brother that's all," I said as I battled with my cheeks, trying to stop them from changing colour.

  "I know who Aiden is. I looked after you all enough times when you were younger. What I want to know is why he isn’t your boyfriend?" She asked.

  Oh great, she wasn't going to let this go.

  "Well he's my best friend’s brother Grandma and he's just a friend," I said in a bid to sound convincing.

  "Nonsense, it doesn't matter who he is, when a boy looks at a girl like that, well it tells a story," she replied.

  "What do you mean?" I asked in a state of confusion.

  "Oh April, you'll find out soon enough. Now I think it's time that we started heading to the airport don't you think?" She asked Bob who was now sat next to Gramps' wooden chair and watching touched by an angel with him.

  "Yeah, Moms just two minutes, this bit is getting good," he said as Grandma rolled her eyes at him.

  "Yeah, ok. No problem, I'll let her know," my mom said as she entered the room. When I turned to look at her, I realised that she was on her cell phone.

  "That was your uncle Harry," she said as she looked in my direction.

  "What did he say?" I asked.

  "He said that he had forgotten that his lady friend was staying tonight, so he thinks it'll be better if you didn't stay after all," she said in a rather disgusted voice. I assume that Uncle Harry had given her much more detail than she cared to know, in his version.

  "So, what am I going to do?" I asked in shock.

  "Well it looks like you'll be staying at Susan's after all. Good job I didn't call her yet. I think that it's best that you stay there for the whole week, since your uncle is going to have his friends round," she said as she smiled at me.

  "Yeah, great," I mumbled.

  "Right, time to get going," Bob said as he began helping Gramps out of his chair.

  "Not so rough Phillip! I bruise easily you know," Gramps shouted at Bob.

  "Sorry Pops," he said as he tried to hold back a laugh.

  None of us actually knew who Phillip was but he insisted on calling Bob it, which I have to admit was funny.

  So, off to the Daniels' residence we go. Great.

  * * *

  I had been sat in the car for ten minutes before my phone began to vibrate. When I looked at the screen, it was a message from Jake. I can't say that I was too excited to see his name pop up but I suppose it was a slight distraction from the whole situation right now.

  Hey! Are you any good at bowling? Jxx

  No! Hell no! I'm terrible. I remember one time that me, Aiden, Crystal and Anthony went bowling, I actually forgot to let go of the ball and well, the rest is history. I didn't really believe that the ball could take you down the aisle with it until it actually happened to me. I was mortified and had tried to avoid bowling at all costs but I could hardly tell Jake that, could I?

  I'm not too bad, I suppose.

  xXAprilXx

  As I looked out of the car window, I realised that I was about five minutes away from having to face Aiden, since our kiss. I still can't believe that I did that.

  What was I thinking?

  The problem was that I couldn't get it out of my mind, so how was I suppose to cope when he was stood in front of me?

  As I felt my phone vibrate, I opened it and read the new message from Jake.

  Cool. Bowling it is. See you around 7. Jxx

  Great! I didn't bother to text back. My stomach was too busy doing back flips as we pulled up outside of Crystal's house.

  "Ok, now behave yourself kiddo," Bob said as the car came to a halt.

  "Of course she'll behave herself, she's a good girl," Grandma, quickly interrupted.

  "Thanks Grandma," I said as I turned to kiss her on the cheek. She of course pulled me into a tight hug, which felt great.

  "Have a safe journey, I'm going to miss you," I said when she finally let me go.

  "You too sweetheart, you take care of yourself and remember my wise words," she said as she winked at me.

  I had no idea what she meant but I smiled anyway and then stepped outside of the car. I walked up to Bob's door as he opened it and stepped out.

  He gave me one of his big, bear hugs and kissed me on the forehead.

  "Now, no parties, boys, drinking or any silly things whilst we're gone, ok?" He said as he held me by the shoulders so that he could stare into my eyes.

  "I won't," I said as I let out a laugh and hugged him again.

  "I'm going to miss you kiddo."

  "You too Bob," I replied as I buried my head in his shoulder.

  "Now, go and say goodbye to your gramps before you make a grown man cry," he said as he wiped the corner of his eye.

  "You're such a wimp Bob," I teased as I ran around the car so that he couldn't catch me.

  "You’re getting more and more like your grandma every day, I see," he said as he smirked at me.

  "She should be honoured. It could be worse, she could be getting a beer belly," she said as I burst out laughing.

  "Oh leave him alone Mother," my mom said as she laughed and stroked Bob's belly.

  Grandma just rolled her eyes and laughed. I'm sure that Aunt May's last days will be very entertaining with these guys around.

  "Bye Gramps," I said as I opened the car door and gave him a tight squeeze.

  "Ok Kelsey, stay out of trouble," he said as he attempted to twirl me round as usual.

  "I will," I said as I closed in the door and walked towards my mom, who was already heading towards the house.

  She quickly wrapped her arm around my shoulders and gave me a little squeeze.

  "Oh, I'm going to miss my baby. A whole week without me telling you to get up for school, do you think that you can manage?" She asked.

  "Of course Mom. I'm going to miss you though and those bacon sandwiches of course," I said as I giggled.

  "Well you just behave yourself and help around the house, don't be lazy, ok?"

  "Yes Mom," I said as I rolled my eyes at the thought of chores.

  "Good," she said before knocking the door.

  "Coming," I heard Crystal and Aiden's mom say from behind the door.

  "Right, if you want to talk to me, here's the number, oh and here's the address in the case of an emergency," she said as she handed me a piece of paper along with my mini suitcase.

  "Ok," I replied as I folded it up and slipped it inside of my pocket.

  "Kelsey!"

  "Susan," my mom replied as they threw their arms around each other.

  "Oh, it has been a long time. I'm so sorry to hear about your aunt.”

  "It's ok and thanks so much for agreeing to let April stay," my mom replied.

  "Oh, it's no problem at all, it's my pleasure. Wow and how grown up and pretty are you," she said as she turned to face me before throwing her arms around me.

  "Thank you," I answered shyly.

  "Right, we better be off," my mom said.

  "Yes, of course," Mrs Daniels replied as she waved her hand in the air at Bob, Grandma and Gra
mps.

  "Ok, love you sweetie, goodbye," my mom said before kissing me on the cheek and heading towards the car.

  "By Suz," she shouted back as she stepped into the passenger’s side.

  "Bye now. Right come on in darling. I've set up the guest room for you, just like always so you just make yourself at home, ok?" She said as we walked inside, closing the door behind us.

  "Thank you Mrs Daniels," I said before racing up the stairs to Crystal's room.

  "You're here!" She screamed as she seen me walk through her bedroom door.

  She walked over to me and slapped me on the arm.

  "Ouch! What was that for?" I asked as I rubbed my arm.

  "Not texting me back. Anyway I'm glad you're here," she squealed in excitement.

  "Why don't you look excited?" She said as she noticed that I wasn't jumping up and down with her.

  "Sorry, I think that I'm just a little nervous about tonight," I lied.

  "Oh, you'll be fine, what time's he coming?" She asked eagerly.

  "About seven," I said.

  "What? It's four thirty, get in the shower and then I'll do your hair and makeup. Hurry up!" She said as she pushed me out of the door.

  "Ok, ok," I said as I grabbed my suitcase and took it into the guest room.

  As I walked into the room, I smiled as I took in all of the memories that I had of staying in this room. Everything was just as I had remembered it to be. There was still a double bed in the middle of the room and a chest of drawers either side. There was a beautiful, chandelier type lamp that stood in the corner of the room and cream carpet. This room was also great because it had a walk in closet and an en suite, every girl's dream.

  It took me forty minutes to unpack my suitcase, put everything where I wanted it and jump into the shower. By the time I had finished, it was ten past, five. I put on my underwear and threw my cream bathrobe around me before heading back to Crystal's room.

  That's when I saw Aiden walk out of the main bathroom with just his towel on! Great! When we were kids he did this all of the time and it was fine. Now it was different, one because his stomach was now replaced with the sexiest six pack that I had ever seen, two the drips of water that were rolling down his chest were making my heart do overtime and three it was making me want to jump on him and kiss him again.