He Said he's Sorry

I sat alone on the couch in my living room, my palms sweaty and my uncombed hair held down by my lucky cap. I was supposed to hang with my best friend today, but I knew she would be here any moment and I couldn’t care less how I looked, or the whole house in a matter of fact. There was a bowl of uneaten cereal on the coffee table in front of me that has been sitting there for a few minutes…or hours. I lost count really.1

The floor had some pieces of popcorn I ate before the cereal, which didn’t make any sense at all for me having food afterwards. I guess I just liked the company of food around me. Even when I’m too full to eat it’s still nice to stare at. 2

I could feel a bead of sweat slowly trickle down my forehead as my hands gripped the control. Yes I was playing video games. What else could you do on a beautiful Saturday morning? 3

The doorbell rang. Darn! I’m more than halfway done with this course! I continued to play, hoping the idiot at my door would just leave. The doorbell rang again.4

“I’m coming!” I screamed at the door, not even moving an inch nearer the door. It wasn’t my mother. She was gone the whole day at work. My older brother was with his friends skating. My younger sister was sleeping in her crib. The doorbell rang again. If I didn’t open the door, my baby sister would awaken. Worst of all I would lose this game! I have a reputation to keep up I cannot leave this game! Yet if my sister wakes up I would have to take care of her. I might even need to pick her up! That fat baby does nothing but eat all day. 5

I sighed and threw the remote onto the couch, letting the game continue on without me. I ran to the door and peeked through the peek hole. Oh it’s Kandy. I should have known. She’s too early though.6

I opened the door and was taken aback when she pushed through the door, pulling someone with her. Someone shoot me. It’s Jared, her little boyfriend. His black hair was now short, and now I could see his eyes better. Great! Now I actually have to make eye contact with him. 7

“Hey Vicky! Can I ask you a favor and let Jared stay here for a while? My mom needs to see me and she can’t see Jared. I’ll be back in ten minutes I swear!” Kandy said out of breath, telling me she had run here. Jared looked a bit confused, not like it wasn’t unusual. 8

“What are friends for?” I asked with a sigh, knowing I would regret letting a mutt into the house. Kandy’s eyes lit up and she gave me a big hug. “Ugh!” I said and she squeezed me tight. “I have a game to attend to! Please let go.” I said.9

“Oh right. I’ll see you later then. Behave yourself, Jared.” Kandy said giving Jared a gentle kiss on his cheek.10

“Yes because I always act naughty around the alluring, Victoria.” Jared said sarcastically. I threw him a dirty look before returning to the living room and taking a seat back on the couch. No! I lost the game! I was in twelfth place! Maybe I should quit and enter a new room.11

I could hear the door close and footsteps on the marble floor reaching closer to the living room. Soon enough I could feel Jared watching me from across the room. I put on the Wii remote strap around my wrist and got ready for another race.12

“What are you doing?” he asked me as he came closer, standing near the couch. I restarted the game. Being a sore loser wasn’t hard for me to admit.13

“Making out with my elbow. What the hell does it look like I’m doing? I’m playing Mario Kart Wii!” I answered annoyed. There was a long silence. I selected my character.14

“Why did you choose King Boo?” he asked me curiously.15

“Because whenever I see his long tongue flash out I wonder if he is a good French Kisser. What the hell is up with you? I just like playing him that’s all. Does there always have to be a reason?” I asked him as I waited to be accepted into a group on Wi-Fi.16

There was another long silence. The race was about to begin. 17

“May I sit down?” he asked me, referring to the couch.18

“No!” I answered without a seconds’ thought. He looked around the room. I peeked over at him to see the look of disgust on his face. “Got a problem, buddy?” I asked him. His gaze snapped back at me.19

“It’s like a pig’s pen in here. Would you mind?” he asked me. Well I hated him being in my view. Plus I never had a maid before. I gave him a nod of acceptance and he was more than happy to start cleaning up the room. 20

The best part was that it started to smell better. 21

Even though the vacuum cleaner was loud and I couldn’t hear my game playing, it was still nice to be able to walk barefoot without getting popcorn in between your toes. Then again it could be a snack to go. Just kidding. Kinda.22

When Jared was done cleaning the room he suddenly decided he was welcomed to sit on my couch. I quickly kicked into his side, causing him to fall off the couch and onto the floor. He threw me an angry look at first. I shot him a grin of victory. His angry look became soft and he shyly smiled at me. I quickly looked away angrily. 23

“Can I play?” he suddenly asked me, getting back up on the couch again. He sat much closer to me than before. I could feel his arms brush mine. I bitterly grabbed the other wheel and shoved it into his gut.24

“Please feel free to knock yourself out.” I answered not even glancing at him. He let out a small groan of pain as he rubbed his probably now bruised gut. He gave me another long look before swallowing and looking back at the screen. 25

“I must warn you…I’m very good at this game. So if I win please try to contain your sobbing.” He said jokingly as the game began. I ignored him, trying to block out his voice.26

I was in my zone now. No one could break into my zone of silence and concentration. Pure concentration. 27

The countdown began. I could feel my fingers moving to their battle station, getting ready for the beginning boost. The finally number was counted and the game began. My silence and concentration field suddenly shattered when I noticed I wasn’t automatically in first place. I could hear Jared's laughter as he zoomed far ahead of everyone else. I involuntary began to grind my teeth together and clutched the remote controller with both my hands. I could swear I could have heard the remote crack in my grip.28

The first two laps were a battle between Jared and I. we clashed into each others’ vehicle, sometimes we’d even push each other personally. It wasn’t until the final lap when I gave up. He was too far ahead. I could either restart the game, not letting him win after all, or lose to him. I rather restart the game but I didn’t want to seem too weak. I let out a deep breath and loosened my grip on the controller. Jared must have noticed that I wasn’t trying my best because he peeked back at me and noticed the plain expression on my face instead of the angry expression. I noticed the change in his emotions as he loosened his muscles and he slowed down. My vehicle passed his and through the finish line. He smiled back at me.29

“Good job. That’s was a good game.” He said. I was a bit confused for a while before I snapped back into focus. I angrily turned off the game system and sat on the crouch angrily. He gave me a bewildered look.30

“You let me win!” I exclaimed angrily, looking him in the eyes. He laid back against the head of the couch, sneakily moving closer to me.31

“No I didn’t. You won.” He said looking over at me, stars in his eyes. I angrily shoved him away. 32

“There’s only one thing I hate more than losing and that’s winning unfairly.” I explained to him. He tried to look confused but I knew it was all an act. “God I hate you! Why can’t you just leave me alone? Get your own life, Jared!” I said.33

“What do you mean, Victorious?” he asked me coming nearer. I shoved him away.34

“Don't call me that anymore! Everyone knows my name is Victoria, alright? No cute pet names. Especially not from you.” I said. He gave me a long, pained look. 35

“You’re still mad at me?” he asked me, removing the remote strap around his own wrist. I looked away from him. He took my wrist and removed the remote strap. I quickly took my hand away from him, causing the remote to slam into his nose. He covered his face for a moment before looking back up at me, trying to ignore the pain of the new bruise waiting to be set free.36

“How can I not? In first grade when all the kids had to tell the class what they wanted to do when they grew up, you were the one, who said ‘When I grow up I want to marry Victoria,’ remember?” I asked him. He shifted his eyes away, his face flushing pink. “Do you know how long kids teased me because of that?” I asked him.37

“How many times do I have to apologize?” he asked me, looking back up at me. “It was just a little crush I had on you. Nothing more. I swear it.” He said with a pained look in his eyes. I rolled my eyes.38

“That’s why you always chose me for school project throughout elementary school? The reason why you always chose to sit next to me during algebra in seventh grade? The reason why your dating my best friend?” I asked him.39

“You know I really like Kendall.” He said to me. I looked back at him.40

“But you only enjoy dating her because you get to see me. Tell me that isn’t true.” I said. There was a long silence. He couldn’t answer. I shoved him away again and stood up.41

“I’m sorry, alright? I’m sorry I like you. I’m sorry I think you’re the most beautiful girl in the world. I’m sorry I wish you loved me back.” he said but quickly stopped. I gave him a long stare.42

“You love me?” I asked him. There was another long silence. He sighed and looked away.43

“Alright. Alright you caught me.” he admitted, still sitting on the couch. He sighed and looked back at me. “But I’m sorry.” He said. I quickly pulled him up and took both his hands. He stared into my eyes before finally shifting his gaze to my lips. “I’m sorry.” He said again.44

“I know. But I honestly don’t want anything to do with you.” I answered. He looked back into my eyes.45

“I said I was sorry. I swear I’ll never touch you or come within inches of you. But it’d still be nice to be with you as a friend. As Kendall’s boyfriend. You’ll never have to talk to me.” he said. 46

“That’s good. But I don’t want anything to do with you. continue dating Kandy I don’t care. Just stay away from me.” I said and pulled him to the door. he tried to resist but I was able to push him out of the house. “And if you hurt Kandy I swear you will never see the light of day again.” I told him.47

“I’m sorry.” He said again.48

“Alright.” I said and closed the door, waiting to hear his footsteps descend from the porch, but I never heard them. 49