What if?

Chapter 34: John’s puppy crush

Michael

“Hi Maria, Leonora and Theresa.” I said as soon as I went inside the living room. They are all cleaning the living room. “I wonder why you always clean the living room like this.” I asked openly so any of them could answer my question. “It is because we just have nothing to do here. Especially, you and Nick are now in school.” Leonora answered with a sad face. “Ahhh… seriously? You miss us?” I asked to tease them and then I sat down on the sofa to sit. “Secret.” Leonora answered while trying to avoid eye contact. 

“Yieeee…” I teased them more. “Stop it Michael, you are making the atmosphere uncomfortable.” Nick whispered to my ear. I was surprised by his actions so I turned to face him. “Dude!” Nick shouted. We almost kissed him on his cheeks. “Sorry. It was your fault.” I said while giggling. His reaction is priceless. 

“My fault? How was that my fault.” Nick asked while pointing to himself. “It wasn’t me who came to whisper.” I replied to Nick. “Ugh!” Nick exclaimed as he shrugged his shoulders and then sat down on the sofa with me. I just giggled as I heard him murmuring. 

“How was your first day at your new school Nick?” Theresa came to sit with us and asked Nick. “It was great. But it was also tiring since we toured the whole school to see other clubs.” Nick answered while facing Theresa. “Really? Was it so big?” Maria asked Nick and also sat down on the sofa. “Very big school and full of students.” Nick answered Maria’s question. “Whaaa!!! How about the club? Did you sign up for a club?” Leonora asked and also sat down on the sofa. 

Now they are all on the sofa and they sat one by one. “I am officially a member of a music club now. The president was amazing and so kind.” Nick said with full admiration. “Don’t tell me you like her?” I asked Nick which made him turn his attention to me. “What?” Nick asked with big eyes. “Do you like Moira?” I asked Nick one more time to hear what his answer would be.

“Where did you get that? I don’t like her as much as you think she is. But I like her as a person.” Nick finally answered my question. “I see, I thought you do.” I replied to Nick while acting cool. “Ohhh! I see. Do you like her?” Nick asked with a full expression. “No. Definitely no.” I replied immediately. Why the hell would Nick think I like Moira. “Well, you two seemed close though.” Nick said while closely glaring at me. 

“Really?” Maria, Leonora and Theresa said synchronously. Whaaa! Sometimes I just think they are really meant to be together, they are like triplets. “We just know each other. Besides, I don’t want John to think that we like the same girl.” I answered Nick’s question. “What?! John likes Moira?” Nick asked with a confused expression. 

Actually, I should not open this up with him but I think I have to. I can’t let Nick tease me that I like the girl that my childhood friend likes. “I… umm.” I cannot complete what I wanted to say since the helpers are also here. “Oh, we need to do something first so we are now going to do it.” Maria said to Nick and I then grabbed the hands of Leonora and Theresa. “What? There is nothing to do.” Leonora said, confused. Maria then glared at her and gave her a sign to leave already. “We have. Come on, let's go.” Theresa added to the conversation. I guess Theresa got what the glance means. They then helped to let Leonora out in the living room.

“What was that?” Nick asked, confused. “They said they have something to do.” I answered Nick’s question. “I don’t think so, it is literally about the thing that you are about to say. Dude! You made them uncomfortable.” Nick preached. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to.” I replied to Nick. Now I feel so guilty. “You better tell me what’s the thing.” Nick said, trying to make me more guilty. “I know.” I replied to Nick

“So what now?” Nick asked with a little stress. “As I said, John has liked Moira since first grade. “What the hell? first grade?” Nick asked as if he didn't believe it. “Dude, that is literally normal. Puppy love.” I answered Nick. “Yeah but… Whaa!!” Nick said, trying to sink all of it. “You don’t have to think deeply about that.” I said while giggling. Nick looks so funny. I think that he is in a state where he still can't believe it because Moira is two years older than us. 

“It is only two years though.” I said to break his silence. “I know whatever!” Nick said and shrugged himself. “I’m going upstairs to shower.” Nick said and walked out of the living room. “You are now walking out? I didn't even get to say if you can leave.” I said to stop him from walking but he did not. “Hmm.” Nick sighed loudly. 

I immediately stood up and walked towards him hastily. “I am taking a shower too.” I said to Nick as I put my arm on his shoulder. “Whatever, get your arm off.” Nick said in a serious tone. “Sorry.” I replied to Nick. 

“Ugh! I don’t know what to do with him.” I said to myself. His mood can change a lot so I sometimes don’t know what to do with him. 

When we arrived at our room, Nick directly went to the bathroom to take a shower. I will take at least 20 minutes here.” Nick shouted inside the bathroom. “What?! 20 minutes? What are you going to do there?” I asked Nick because I am confused. “I will soak myself.” Nick answered my question. 

“Okay fine. Just 20 minutes.” I replied to Nick. “Noted!” Nick replied. When Nick said he will soak himself I suddenly understand what he means. It means that he will be on the tub. I believe that Nick is thinking a lot today. Because he does that when he can’t pay attention to something. It is his way to relax himself so he can focus on one thing and not over use his mind.

I jumped on the bed and rolled myself. “Gosh I am so tired.” I exclaimed. I really don't like interacting with too many people, especially going to crowded places. It makes me so tired. I hate situations and places like that. A while ago, I really tried my best to tour Nick so he won’t feel something is lacking on his first day at school. I also tried my best to pretend to like the stalls and such but I really hate it. “Ugh! I hope he is not mad at me.” I again said to myself. 

I only told this to John and no one else because I am afraid that it will make them uncomfortable being with me. I feel okay surrounded by people I know, like in the classroom or at a family reunion but events like a while ago just weren't that good for me. I tried to become a normal person but I can’t. One day I have to tell this to Nick. But now, I still can’t. I don’t want to ruin his time befriending people.

“Okay. RESET!” I shouted loudly. I am not sure if Nick was able to hear it. I changed my position into sitting up like a monk on the bed. I got my phone out of my pants and logged in my account to the game that I am playing. Some people think that I always study, they don't think that I actually play games more often than I study. You know we need to live our childhood to the fullest. I used to study a lot but nowadays I realized that I only have one childhood. So I changed my routine. So far, I think I made the right decision. 

AFTER 20 MINUTES

"I'm finished!" Nick shouted as he went out of the bathroom. I glanced and nodded to him. "Aren't you going inside? Are you just going to play here?" Nick asked. "I am. Just let me finish this one first." I answered Nick's question. "Do what you want." Nick replied to me. "He went to where the clothes are and changed his clothes. "Finished! I'm going to take a bath now." I shouted cheerfully. 

"Hmm." Nick sighed deeply. "What?!" I asked Nick. "Nothing." He replied immediately. "I'm going to the bathroom." I said to Nick. " You don't have to tell me, do whatever you like Michael." Nick replied and layed on the bed. 

That was the last thing I saw after going inside the bathroom. As soon as I got inside, I took off my clothes and turned on the shower. I started to wet my right hand to feel if the water was cold enough for me to shower or not. 

"This is what I want." I said to myself as I felt the water's temperature. After finally concluding that the water is okay for me, I started to wet my hair then my whole body. "So refreshing." I said to myself again. 

I took the liquid soap and put it on my body. Then I put on the shampoo and comb my hair using my fingers. The scent of the shampoo is so fragrant. “Where did mom buy this again?” I asked myself. I forgot where mom bought this shampoo, but I think she bought it locally when she went somewhere in the Visayas region. So good, she even bought a lot of it. All the people in this house are using this kind of shampoo. 

I waited for 5 minutes and then washed myself with water. “Oh, so good.” I said to myself as I finished washing. I grabbed the towel and wrapped my body with it. 

When I opened the door I went directly to the closet to get my clothes. I started to look for clothes. I saw my plain white t-shirt and then my blue trousers and then started wearing it. 

After finishing, I went to where our bed is. As soon as I entered, I saw Nick on the bed with his earphones on and looking at his phone while laying on the bed. “Your position is not good for your eyes. Change it.” I said to Nick and grabbed his phone. 

“What?! I was watching.” Nick said as if he didn’t hear what I said. s**t! I forgot he has his earphones on. I pulled his earphones out of his ears so he could hear me. “I said your position is not good for your eyes.” I repeated what I said earlier for him. “Sorry, now give me my phone back.” Nick said and grabbed his phone back to him. 

“Do you usually do that? Answer me honestly.” I asked Nick to check if he has been doing it lately. He looked down to his phone. “Hmm… yes.” He said without looking at me and just staring at his phone. “Didn’t you know that it might hurt your eyes?” I asked Nick in a serious voice. 

I might sound like a dad to him but I don’t want him to regret it in the future. He was holding his phone above him while watching so I just knew that I needed to tell him not to do the same thing again. “Sorry. From now on, I won’t.” Nick replied with obedience. 

“Wait. Did you see my phone?” I asked Nick. “Beside you.” He answered. I looked at the sheet of the bed and saw my phone. As soon as I saw my phone I called mom. “Mom…” I said as soon as mom answered but Nick shaked me. “What are you doing?” He said in a curious voice. I did not answer his questions and just continued what I wanted to say to Mom. “Are you going home today?” I asked mom. “I think we can’t, I’m sorry we were so busy that we forgot to call.” Mom answered my question. “I see. It is okay. But if you have time can you please buy an anti-radiation glass for Nick?” I asked mom if she could. “Yeah, of course I can.” Mom said without any questions. “Thanks mom and keep safe there with dad.” I said to mom. I may act like this, but I really worry about them whenever they are not beside us. “Thank you Michael you too, take care of Nick there. Love you both, bye!” Mom said and ended the call. 

“You don’t need to tell mom to buy one.” Nick said while still looking down. “Mom said she loves you.” I said to Nick neglecting what he just said. 

After I said to him what mom said he looked me in the eyes. I can see that he was glad to hear those words.