10. M A K E I T H A P P E N


“Yo, Sean, what up?” I shouted. Sean’s a football player, the quarterback of the team. Mostly he likes shaking his blonde hair. Sean’s living room was filled with my friends, Toby, Jason, Michael, and Chris. “I’m great, man. God, Melissa nailed me!” Sean said. We did a high five. The guys were watching Sports Channel.
I drank the can of Pepsi I was holding. “Look, look, look!” Toby was pointing at the flat-screen. “Another round left then the Toro’s will be champion!” Chris and Michael were shouting. I joined them.
“That was a two-point move!”
After a few minutes, everyone shouted, “Touchdown.”
“Then they won, yes, aha!” Michael gave a high five to each of everyone’s hand.
Suddenly, my phone vibrated. The message was from Mariah, asking where I was and mom was looking for me. I replied her that I was in Sean’s place. On the corner of my eye, Sean was looking at me. “Speaking of the Toro’s, let’s ask Riley what happened to him and his…what, let’s say, girlfriend?” Sean teased looking at me. That damn face.
I sat at the side of the sofa. I was a bit irritated but, I kinda like the topic. I snickered. “What’s her name?” Sean asked them. My mind was hoping that they don’t know her name. “I know, I know!” Toby raised his hand and shouted “Mariah!” I looked at my Chuck Taylors. Oh man, I’m embarrassed. I felt like I was blushing? That wasn’t supposed to happen. atau it did happen. “Oh, Mariah, like Mariah Carey?” Beside was Jason he slapped my back. They all laughed.
“Wait, is she hot?” Sean asked. What a douche bag. Everyone in this room was looking at me, waiting for my answer. Their faces were all curious. I don’t know what the answer to that soalan is. All I know is just she’s beautiful, funny and a great person. That’s all. Why do they have to ask that question? atau is that even a question? Those curious eyes were about to dart at me. “I would only answer that soalan if only I see her naked,” I responded. I called my answer a stupid one and an idiotic one. That’s a shame. The guys laughed. Sean laughed the hardest.
“But, I find her gorgeous,” I added, I’m glad I told them that. I let out a laugh.
Jason was about to speak but I went myself to speak before him. “And, she’s not my girlfriend.” I berkata each word carefully. Jason, Chris, Michael and Sean looked disappointed.
“You said, she’s your girlfriend.” Chris berkata as if innocent. I heard the guys whispered “yeah, yes,” whatever it is.
“Since when?” I demanded.
“Since anda told us last Saturday at Pier One,”
I flashed back about last Saturday. No.
“No, I didn’t. I berkata I had a new girl friend. Not girlfriend, in a relationship thing.”
I exclaimed. “No! Look, Riley’s doing a lie!” Sean pointed at me. This conversation doesn’t suit my day, especially when they asked if ‘Mariah is hot?’
“You guys are crazy,” I went for the door.
I wish. I wish I was lebih that Friends with Mariah.
But I’m afraid she’ll not Cinta me back.


The seterusnya morning, I woke up feeling a bit tired. Like I still want to go back to sleep.
I can and it’s a Monday. For me, the hari Monday made the whole week a slow one. I sighed.
After a few minit I took a shower, wore clean clothes and headed downstairs.
I felt refreshed and happy. I went to my usual seat. I’ve noticed that Mom is not in her chair. “Where’s Mom?” I asked Angeline. “She went to the office earlier. lebih like a meeting, I’d say.” She berkata then she went back to her eating. Jamaica was doing her thing again, listening to her iPod. Like she doesn’t even care what’s happening in the world. In front of me was Mariah, her hair was tied up in a pig tail, if that’s what they call it. I smiled at her. She smiled back. God, I Cinta her smile. It just felt so perfect to me.
At the corner of my eye, I saw Angeline looking at us. She cleared her throat.
We both looked at her then back to eating. “Pass the paper, please?” I commanded Angeline. Every morning, I check the Sports section, even I’m running late in school atau some where I’m attending to. She reached the newspaper to me. I nodded; looking at the news that The Toro’s won. I was busy Membaca the article.
I was done Membaca the paper. I sighed. My phone beeped. Oh my God.
It’s Kaity Chang, my ex-girlfriend. Last summer, we met in Japan. She was gorgeous, we hung out, and we talked and broke my heart. She got back with her ex-boyfriend, Tyler. Man that hurt a lot. And now, she’s inviting me to her birthday party on Thursday. Am I going? Don’t ask, haven’t decided yet. If she wants to get back with me, ‘cause Tyler broke her hati, tengah-tengah atau she broke his, don’t make me say the word, ‘cause I’m not going back with her.
“Hey Mariah, do anda want to come with me?” I asked her.
Angeline looked at us, so as Jamaica. “Where?” Mariah asked back.
I don’t know why I asked that. I don’t even have plans. I just berkata what comes out of my mouth. “Let’s have coffee,” Stupid, stupid, stupid. I saw Jamaica immediately looked at Angeline. Angeline nodded. “You both already got coffee,” Angeline berkata then under the meja, jadual I heard Jamaica kicked Angeline’s left leg.
“Ow,” Angeline mouthed. Jamaica waved her hands.
Mariah was silent for a while, and then suddenly Maggie, the Golden Retriever went to her. Maggie went to stand and lick her. “Aww, she’s so cute,” Mariah complimented. “Sure, Riley. I don’t have much to do this morning.” Maggie went down and turned to the seterusnya hallway. I already found my breath.
Mariah and I stood up and headed for my car.

I took Mariah to High jalan were we had our first “date” together as I recalled.
We went to Starbucks. Mariah ordered a caramel frappe. I ordered myself a decaf coffee. We had a conversation about what will be her course in college and what college she will attend. “I haven’t decided yet, though. It’s very difficult.” She rubbed her temples. I think I gave her a hard one. So I quickly changed it.
I cleared my throat. “Do anda want to buy something?” I insisted. I’m 100% sure I would buy her anything. “No. I left my savings at home,” she sighed. I gave her a look that berkata oh-come-on-I-would-pay-for-it. “No, no! Riley!” She almost shouted. “It’s your money, don’t spend it with me,” she added.
The look on her face made me laugh. “What’s so funny?” Mariah asked, almost irritated. “Y-your face,” I laughed more. “My face, what?” she patted her cheeks. “I meant the look on your face when anda almost shouted.” Mariah laughed. She kept on laughing, I liked this. “Okay, okay. Seriously, I’ll buy anda something,” the laughing look on my face faded away.

*** *** *** ***
Mariah looked at the full length mirror of the shop. She was wearing a black silk dress. Below the skirt, green pointy leaves were sewn; that made the dress stand out. Wow, I mouthed. She looked perfect.
“Riley?” I heard Mariah asked.
“Yeah?” I responded.
“What did your mom berkata about, the 24th Annual Charity Ball in Seventh Street?”
“Oh, that. Well your mom and my mom attended that charity ball in the 80’s. So I guess it’s some kind of a tradition that we should attend.” I explained.
Mariah looked puzzled. She looked again at the mirror with new high heeled shoes. She smiled in the mirror. It’s like she’s smiling at me. Then after a few minutes, she sat beside me. “We?” She asked curious. “Well, I’m bringing you, if anda don’t mind.” I hope she accepts it. I know and she knows that her mom cannot come because she’s in the States with her dad. “That’s very generous of you,” She complimented.
Whoa. I felt her arms around me. “Angeline and Jamaica are also attending.” I added information. It was good to hug her, though. She was better than anyone else I’ve ever met. She released me. “I never met a guy that’s so kind and generous.” Mariah smiled my kegemaran smile.
I nodded. My reflection told me that I was almost blushing. What the...? I looked away from the mirror.
After a few minutes, the dress and the shoes were paid. We walked down the streets, past the shops etc. I took her to Kart Racing in Speed Zone. She teased me if this Kart Racing is lebih fun than racing in Las Vegas. “Yes!” I shouted.
We talked, had lebih fun and unexpectedly she pecked me on the cheek, telling me that she had a wonderful time.
I drove the car under the blueberry tree. It was already pass 8 pm and Mariah was already asleep in the front seat. I stared at her. She looked real tired. I took a strand of her hair, admiring her.
I cut the engine, got out of the car and carried Mariah out of the Honda. She was quite heavy though, but I still remind myself, I do not care. The front door was half open. In the living room, I saw mom. She was Membaca a book.
She startled at me, like she saw a ghost. “She tired?” she pointed out.
“Most likely,” I berkata then went up the stairs.
Carefully, I laid her in the satin sheets of her bedroom then tucked the blanket to her neck.
I leaned down and kissed her forehead.
“I Cinta you,” I whispered. Then I headed through the door.