Chapter12. Outsider
Kyle got into an accident during football practice. They wanted to win so bad that things got a little rough. Out of hand. Stuff like that happened in sports all the time.
Kyle, whose eyes were purplish black, whose nose was broken, whose lips were swollen, was rushed to the hospital to get some rest. It was one of the most exciting news that happened in Bear Creek since the Morgan's got back.
But of course, underneath the lies was the truth that few knew. Kyle didn't have an accident, he was punished for harassment and bullying. Genesis wouldn't get in trouble for it. The witnesses thought Kyle deserved it, so none of them would talk.
I've been trying to reach out to Gene the rest of the week. I've wanted to thank her for sticking up to me. To ask why she did it.
Maybe despite acting cold, she still cared for me a little. Maybe beneath the black hole of her contact lenses was still my galaxy, waiting to be explored again. Maybe she was lost in space. Maybe I'd find her.
Being the flighty bird she was lately, I didn't get the opportunity to talk. She wasn't in the cafeteria at lunch. She wasn't by Brad's side during break. That's why by Saturday morning, I was feeling depressed again.
"Des?" dad called from the stairs. "You have a visitor."
My bra was barely hooked as I turned to the door. The band had snapped on my fingers thrice already. "I'm still changing," I called back. "Tell the twins to wait on the sofa." With a forced yank, I was able to clasp the hook to the back. I should probably buy new ones.
Dad was holding his yellow coffee mug when I dashed down the stairs. I turned to the other person sharing his table and almost stumbled at the last step.
"What are you doing here?"
Genesis lifted a mug to her lips. She was using mine. "Drinking coffee."
I looked from dad to her as I went to the dining area, and pulled a chair back. It felt like I was the one who didn't live there.
Dad lowered his mug and wiped his mouth. He just shaved this morning. I smelled the cream he used all the way to my seat. "Genesis was telling me that both of you joined the Welcoming Committee. Is that true?"
I cringed. "Kind of."
His eyes twinkled. "That's good to hear. You should participate in more activities. It will help with your college application."
"Bear Creek College isn't that hard to enter, dad."
"Yeah, but you're not going there."
"Oh yeah?" I motioned to Genesis. "Tell him how I'm not going to leave this town like most of its residents."
"Don't say that," dad interrupted. "I want you to see the world."
"It's a scary place out there." I shivered for emphasis. "I'd rather stay here, in my room, eating a bag of chips while watching a rerun. Is that so much to ask for?"
Dad pinched his forehead and sighed. We'd had this conversation before.
"I think both of you are right," Genesis said. The mug made a soft thump as she placed it on the table. I was tempted to drink from it, but was more eager to listen to what she had to say. "I think getting out of Bear Creek is good for perspective."
Dad hit the table with his hand. "That's what I'm talking about."
I was about to butt in when Genesis said, "I'm not done though." Her fingers played with the rim of the mug. "There's perspective everywhere. Sometimes it's in the most ordinary places we don't care to look. Bear Creek for instance."
"Agreed," I declared. "Which is why I'm staying here."
Dad's watch beeped. His forehead furrowed as he checked the time. "I didn't realize it's late. Can we continue this conversation later?"
"How about never?"
His chair creaked when he pushed it back to stand. "Later," he said. Dad turned to Genesis. "I forgot to tell you earlier, but welcome home, Gene."
She didn't answer him as he went to the living room to grab his things.
Right after dad left, Genesis rose to her feet and left the kitchen too. I was beginning to think that she was gone when her arm poked through the door. Her forefinger curled as she beckoned for me to follow.
I chewed on my nail as we strolled the street. It wasn't a habit, but I was too anxious by her side. She didn't tell me what she came for. She'd acted normal around dad. And now we were walking together like the old times. Was I having a dream?
The door to Bertha's Bakery was open when we passed. My mouth watered when the smell of cheese wafted on my nose. Bertha didn't disappoint.
"God, it didn't change much," Genesis murmured.
My stomach growled an answer.
"Do you want to eat first?"
And lose the chance to talk to you?
"No," I said. "Let's continue walking."
True to Bear Creek's signature weather, the temperature was oven hot when we got to the dirt path. It only cooled a little when we were surrounded by trees. It's like they were there to provide momentary relief.
I got the courage to talk to Gene when we got deeper into the woods. "Did you want to go to the Ruins?" I said.
"Hmm. . ."
"What does hmmm, mean?"
"Hmm. . ." she said again.
The crumbled stones on our path increased. Before long, we were standing right in front of my happy place, the carven pillars looking like they've grown with the help of pixie dust. The Ruins had always been magical to me.
I quivered like a plucked string when Genesis walked the same steps we used to walk on as kids. She hadn't been here in a long time. Even the shuddering of the branches surrounding us seemed like waving of flags to welcome her home.
"I wanted some privacy," she said.
"I take it you don't get enough with your bodyguards?"
"Bodyguard. There's only Dindo now."
"There used to be a lot?"
It was bothering how unnatural her eyes looked when they focused on me. "It doesn't matter. There are more guards than you can count, Destiny. That's why you need to be careful."
"I am careful."
"Not this morning." Her voice has turned cold.
Morning? What happened this morning?
Her jaw looked harder than the stone steps she sat on. She glared at me like I've done something wrong. "Can you remind yourself to close your window while you're getting dressed?"
My cheeks burned like a candle. "You. . . You saw?"
"I had to make everyone go to the other side," she snapped. "Why are you giving me a hard time? First with Kyle, and now this."
"Hold up, Gene. Kyle is not my fault. Why are you blaming me?"
"You know how he is. You should have stayed away from him."
