Bascially, a week had passed since my big blowout. Time goes really fast, like one second you're here, and the next, you're there. I shouldered my bag, the strap was so long, the bag was actually dangling down to my bum. Derrick thought it looked totally clowny, but saggy, softish, dangly bags were fashionable this year! Unfastening the clasp, I pulled my key chain out of the front pouch, then turned to my locker. Taking the lock in my hand, I let out an exasxperated sigh. How pigheaded could I get? I used a combination lock, not a key one! I had been pigheaded for the past week actually, zoning out in another universe and forgetting everything on Earth. Twisting the combination in, I opened my locker and started unloading all my books.
"Hey!" a cheerful bright voice called as a hand grabbed me by the shoulder playfully.
"Renee! Hey, sup girl?" I asked. Renne just grinned.
"Did you make up with Ty?" I rolled my eyes, she had been asking me that question for the past week.
"No, no and no!" I cried, laughing. My friend laughed too, her eyes twinkling.
"You won't believe this. I heard....." Renee dropped her voice to a whisper, away from prying eyes and gossiping ears. "Ty has a crush on you." Ouch! I dropped my heavy Math book, right on the toe of my right blue doc boot. It didn't hurt, but it startled me. I jumped, bumping into Renee and nearly knocking the both of us over.
"C'mon Renee!" I shouted in disbelief. Renne cringed, looking at me. I saw why, pratcially everyone in the corridor was staring at us, and that was a lot of people. I could feel my face growing hot as everyone returned to talking and fixing their lockers. "Sorry." I mumbled, not knowing what else to say. Renne shrugged.
"Hey, no sweat. About Tyler....."
"You must have heard wrong," I cut in quickly. My face grew hotter, I knew I probably looked like a tomato. It was utterly immpossible that anyting even remotely close to what Renee had said could happen. "Honestly I think you did. I mean, we've been at each other throats since we could practically say mommy."
"You know, it's never too late to change," Renne pointed out as we started walking to homeroom. I shook my head.
"I don't think I really need a guy right now. As for a guy like Tyler, barf city!"
"Who said anything about datin'? I mean, you guys should stop pretending you hate each other."
"We aren't pretending, at least not me. I hate his guts right now."
"No you don't," Renee's answer really freaked me out. The way she said it, like it wasn't her talking at all. I stopped walking and faced her.
"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked indignantly. Renee sighed, one of her tired weary ones.
"Quit pretending Robbie. You have to find your true feelings. Pretending to be someone you're not is never going to work," she said. WEIRD! The whole world had gone totally nuts! First it was my own brother, then one of my best friends. For a brief moment, I wondered if I was on the wrong planet. Like maybe I had entered another dimension or something. Still, I did not understand.

The whole day passed like a tornado, as usual. I decided to sneak a moment afterschool for cappucino, alone. This was rare, as I always felt so dumb sitting there by myself. Like I had no friends or nothing better to do than sit and stare out the window. I walked to the nearest cafe and took a counter seat by the window. Balancing myself on the high stool, I slipped my dangly shoulder bag on my lap. Suddenly, I remembered this saying my elementary teacher used to say: "The world itself isn't a complicated place my dear, it's the people who live in it that are complicated." Good old Mrs. Goodman, she was always so.... so... wise. Not old lady nagging wise, but smart wise. She always knew the answers to what you were looking for. I wished she was my teacher now, instead of having been my fifth grade teacher. Why was this world such a mess anyway? I wondered slipping one of my rings off my finger and twirling it on the worn counter top. A voice interuppted my thoughts.
"Miss, miss, would you like anything?" I jumped, I hadn't expected the waiter to be so close, actually, he was tapping me on the shoulder. I nodded and cleared my throat, like an idiot. How embaressing!
"Sorry, yeah. I'll have a expresso cappacino style," I replied, feeling my face go red. The waiter nodded, a smile on his face.
"Comin' right up, just go back to your daydreaming and I'll have it ready in a jiffy," he said leaving. I looked after him, wandering what he meant. I may appear all smart and cheeky, but I really am starting to think I'm cluelessly dumb in this complicated world. Again, I remembered Mrs. Goodman's saying. OK, not world, people, I mean..... I don't know! I lost concentration and my ring stopped spinning. Catching it, I let out an impatient sigh. I absolutely despised the feeling of confusion. It was really hard to get rid of. My cappucino arrived, the alluring smell catching my full attention, only for a split second though. Taking my MDman out, I tuned into Hanson while sipping the cappucino. I skipped the first eight songs, to one called "I Will Come To You", it wasn't really a particular favourite of mine, it was kind of slow for my fast tastes. For some reason, I paid special attention to the lyrics. The song, was about always being there for somebody, just when they needed help the most. They used all these metaphors and thingies about stormy nights and no lights, I didn't focus on those. The song, was pretty simple. The more I thought about it, the more simply it got, I checked it on repeat. The message was as easy as anything to figure out, I will come to you, I will come to you and no matter what happens I'll always be there to help you out. For some reason it was funny and brought a smile to my face. How nice it would be if that were true. Unfortunately, it isn't. I don't think there is anyone on the face of the earth that I know would fit the description of the message. Not even my understanding brother, nope. A loud, long beep interuppted the lead singer Taylor's voice. I looked down at the digital display and groaned loudly. Dead batteries! Yuck, and I didn't have any replacements. Reluctantly, I put my MDman away, there was no use plugging my ears when no music was coming out.
OK, I thought silently. If there really is a person on the face of the earth that can help me out with anything, let them walk through that door right this second! I focused on the door, deep in thought. The wind chimes jingled as I took another long sip, the front door of the cafe opened. I nearly chocked on my cappucino. God must have been listening to me, he sure heard me. But........ he must have heard wrong! Taylor Hopkins stepped into the cafe, alone.

Chapter 5
I kept my sip of the sweetish warm liquid in my mouth, I had forgotten how to swallow it at that moment. I was so shocked! Tyler's eyes scanned the cafe, and then they fell on me. His face was robbed of all emotion. And, he started walking towards me! Oh no!!!! God must have heard so wrong! I asked for help, not for distress! I blinked hard, hoping that when I opened my eyes, someone else would be standing in his place. Someone, anyone, just anyone but Tyler. He stopped right beside my seat. Suddenly, it was as if he'd grown taller. He was taller than me, even when I was sitting on a high stool.
"Hi Robyn," he began, his voice sounding kind of soothing actually, "How is everything?" I couldn't take anymore! I honestly could not! Then, something happened. I thought I had swallowed my cappucino down my trachea, but I hadn't. I had...... I had... I had... oh my god! I had spat it out, it was a very big gulp too. I couldn't believe it, and I didn't think Tyler could either. Little brown droplets dropped from his hair, sliding down his face and sweatshirt. His whole face was tainted brown, it was even dripping from his eyelashes. Now, this is really strange and stupid, but all I could think of for a very brief second was that his eyelashes were really nice.
Robyn, you fool! I kicked myself so hard I let out a yelp, that seemed to put everything into action.
"Oh C-Christ! R-obyn, what the heck was that for?" Tyler screeched, I cringed slightly. "W-what did you do that for?" Suddenly, I couldn't find my voice, I could only sit the and gasp. After what seemed like a lifetime of his yelling in disbelief, I found my little voice. When I spoke, it didn't even sound like me.
"Oh! I...I-I-I-I-I.... I!" I sucked in my breath, I was stuttering so bad and I couldn't stop it. This, had never been a problem for me, now that it was happening, I couldn’t stop stuttering. Feeling like a total fool, I continued on with my stuttery I’s.... yuck! I watched Tyler’s face flush with rage and this tingly feeling shot up my spine. It was something between fear and boldness, two opposites. Just say sorry! It’s very simple! Somehow, I couldn’t get the words out of my mouth.
“Yeesh Robyn! I came over to make peace, not have my face splashed with your spit! Even if you hate me, you don’t have to do this!” Tyler grabbed some paper towels and dabbed at his navy sweatshirt. “And this is a totally new sweatshirt! It’s been ages since I could save up for a Calvin Klien,” he raged. I finally said something.
“Ty, that’s a Tommy Hilfiger you’re wearing,” I pointed out meekly. What a stupid thing to say!? I couldn’t believe I had actually said it, like some stupid idiot. Tyler glared at me with deadly hatred. Uh-oh.....! Slamming the paper towels on, Tyler made a little grunt of disgust.
“You’re hopeless! Absolutely hopeless!” exclaimed the furious, cappucino dripping human being, he turned and stormed out. Everyone in the cafe was looking at me, I could feel myself getting angry. Throwing down what probably was enough for three cappucinos on the counter top, I grabbed my bag and chased after him. He was a bit taller than me and I had to jump up to grab his shoulder.
“Hold it right there! What was that supposed to mean?” I exploded.
“Don’t you understand English?” snapped Tyler, whirling around. I chased after him until he stopped, I stopped too and faced him. An eye for an eye, we stared at each other. I threw my arms up in exasperation.
“Of course I do! I’m not thick like some people!” I replied.
“Now, what was that supposed to mean?”
“Don’t you understand English?”
“Copycat! Think of your own come-backs.”
“If you had a little bit of brain in there,” I pointed to my head as a gesture, “Then you would know I’m being sarcastic! But you don’t obviously!” Tyler froze, as if I had just punched him in the face. I was close to it anyways, I just wanted to slug him then and there.
“Take that back!” yelled Tyler, emotion in his eyes.
“No!”
“I said take that back you squirt!”
“No, no and no! Moron!” I screamed. A loud horn interuppted us, I turned around, ohmygod! We were standing in the middle of the street, not even at a crossing! Cars piled and filed at our sides, drivers honking and yelling impatiently.
“Go fight somewhere else! I have kids to take home!”
“Quit it! You’re causing a jam, lovebirds!” Everyone started shouting at us. I felt so embaressed, hot tears stung the corners of my eyes. I was actually being so immature, shouting with Tyler in the middle of a busy street. I also felt hurt, we were hurtling insults and calling each other names. My vision started to blur, oh it was so stupid! I was going to cry. Well, not in front of Tyler, never. Yanking my bag open, I pulled out a packet of tissues.
“Here moron! Go and clean your stupid Tommy shirt,” shoving the tissues at him, I saw his expression soften. I didn’t care, turning around I started running. Behind me, Tyler was saying something, and so were the drivers.
“Hey! Are you crazy? Home’s the other way!?” Tyler cried.
“Get outta the way kid!”
“I’m gonna squish you like dem bugs, get out of the way!” The voices faded away as I ran further, narrowly missing a lady burdened with heavy shopping bags. I didn’t care, I almost got run over at a crossing, I didn’t care. I just kept on running and running and running.

It was dark by the time I got home. Stupidly, I really had run the wrong way, downtown. It had taken me ages to get to the right bus stop, and even worse, in my state, I got on the wrong bus! Unlocking the front door, I let myself in. My hair was ruffled, and my face was probably a mess. My feet hurt and my legs felt rubbery, I leaned againest the door as it closed.
“Robbie? Is that you?” A woman’s voice called. I closed my eyes and let out a moan. Mom, mom was home, and I had forgotten.
“Yes, it’s me,” I croaked out, dragging myself across the foyer.
“Where have you been? Oh my.....” Derrick marched into the foyer, his socked feet in my bunny slippers, a bowl of salad dip in his hand and he was chewing a carrot. “What happened to you? Did you get mugged?”
“Sssh! I don’t want to talk about it, OK? Just keep on mom company, I don’t want her asking me all this stuff,” I hissed, practically crawling up the stairs.
“Robbie, get washed up for dinner,” I could hear my mom call. Sighing, I got on all fours and clambered up the stairs. Derrick scooped me up and gave me a piggy back ride.
“We’ll talk, tonight when mom’s asleep, OK?” he whispered in my ear. It was supposed to be comforting but I just want to wail and sob. I nodded, resting my cheek againest the back of his head. As I splashed some water on my face, I asked myself why I was so bummed out. I didn’t really do anything wrong, it was all his fault. Washing my hands, I shoved them in my pockets and sauntered down to dinner. Mom and Derrick went on and on and on all through dinner. I don’t think they even paused to take a breath. I, was unusually quiet and just ate. Mom peered at me.
“Robbie, is something the matter?” she asked, frowning. I shook my head and forced a smile, I could feel my brother’s eyes on me.
“Nothing mom, absolutely nothing at all,” beside me, Derrick choked on his glass of water. My mom just laughed.
“What happened at school today? Anything interesting?” she asked, going to her untouched dinner. I shook my head again and smiled, exactly the same way.
“Not much, as always. I’m just really hungry,” I lied, pretending to be really enthusiastic about shovelling food into my mouth. Before I knew it, mom and Derrick were back at their endless chatter.

In the dark, I heard the master bedroom door close very slowly. Jumping out of bed, I stood up and stretched. I thought mom and Derrick would never stop talking. It was almost midnight. Quietly, I opened my door and stepped out, leaving it open a crack. Derrick wasn’t in his room, the door was wide open and his mess was visible. Tip-toeing downstairs, I found my brother making himself a snack in the kitchen. I pointed a playful accusing finger at him. He just shrugged.
“Mom and I talked until dinner was all cold, unlike some people,” he joked.
“Snap a lid on it,” I swung my legs onto one of the counter stools, cupping my chin in both my hands. Derrick sat down beside me with his sandwhich. He offered me a bite, I took a huge one, it was chicken and lettuce with extra mayo. I also took a gulp of his orange juice.
“So, zup? Isn’t fighting downtown a bit extreme?” asked Derrick casually. I swallowed the juice down my windpipe by mistake and started coughing. “Ssh! Do you want to wake mom up or something?” I finished my little coughing fit.
“It’s not like I want to, who told you by the way?”
“One of my frat buddies was driving by, he said there was a huge jam in the middle of the road cuz of some boy fighting with my sister,” Derrick replied as a matter-of-factly. I groaned loudly.
“Man, nothing is worse than that! From now on I’ll be known as the road girl,” I exclaimed. Derrick laughed.
“What was the fight about anyways?” he asked. I told him, every little detail of the fight. I didn’t tell him about my thoughts are asking for someone who would understand. It sounded too stupid, Derrick would just sit and laugh for five hours straight.