Pitbabe S2, Chapter 12 pg9

 Pitbabe S2, Chapter 12 pg9

   “Nah,” I replied flatly, not planning to elaborate.

   “Or because Phii Charlie’s late?”

   I stayed silent because he was right. That was part of why I was in a bad mood, even though it’s my birthday.

   “Did you guys fight?” Willy’s tone softened, without a trace of his usual playfulness. Unless I was being overly sensitive, I think Willy was genuinely worried about me. “With Phii Charlie, I mean.”

   “We didn’t fight,” I sighed. Everything in me felt heavy, and suddenly I was exhausted, like I’d been traveling for years, even though I hadn’t done anything significant today. “Just… feeling off.”

   “You can talk about it.”

   Talk, huh?

   Would a kid like Willy even get it? And if I actually wanted to talk, where would I even start?

   “I hate being the last one.”

   “Like in a race?”

   “Everything.” That was the latest feeling I could put into words clearly. “I used to think I was always number one, but it’s slipping. My rank keeps dropping, and now it feels like I’m dead last.”

   “No way to climb back up?”

   “Dunno.” I shook my head, glancing at my phone screen lighting up. Charlie sent another message since I’d read his last one without replying. He’s probably worried I’m mad, but right now, I don’t feel like responding. “I want to get back up there, but I don’t know how.”

   “You don’t seem like the Phii Babe I know at all.”

   “Because you think I’m too great, right?”

   “Maybe.” Willy shrugged lightly, hands in his pockets. We weren’t looking at each other, both staring off in different directions. Deep down, I thought this was better—at least for me, since I might blurt out something weird at any moment. “I thought you’d fight harder.”

   “It’s not about fighting or not fighting.”

   “So, what’s it about?”

   Once again, I didn’t know how to respond. I didn’t even know what this was really about. Sure, Charlie was at the core of it, but I wasn’t sure where the problem lay—with him, with me, or with both of us. And what did I need to do to get past this feeling? I didn’t want to stir up issues in our relationship, but at the same time, I was terrified that if things kept going like this, by the time I realized I was the problem, I might have already lost Charlie.

   “If you love him… you’ve got to fight harder,” Willy said, despite knowing nothing. He just assumed it had to be about Charlie. Of course, anyone would guess that—what else could my life revolve around these days? “And if he loves you too, he won’t let you fight alone.”

   Those were the words of Willy, the guy I called “that kid,” “yesterday’s brat,” or “crybaby.” He was the epitome of innocence, clueless about the world, yet here he was, giving advice to me, an adult nearly twice his age.

   “I don’t know what’s going on, but from what I’ve seen, I know you love him a lot. You’re not ready to lose him.”

   “What would a kid like you know?” I let out a scoff, pitying myself for being this old and still needing a carefree kid like Willy to show me the way. “Have you even had a girlfriend?”

   “Not one I loved as much as you and Phii Charlie love each other.”

   “And you still dare lecture me?”

   “I’m not lecturing,” Willy turned to look at me, and at the same moment, I turned to him, not even sure why I wanted to. “I just don’t want to be disappointed in you.”

   Disappointed… what was he expecting from me?

   I stared at Willy, trying to come up with a response but drawing a blank. He stared back, then reached out and lightly touched my hair.

   “Leaf in your hair,” Willy said with a smile, plucking a dry leaf from my head. “Last time it was oil on your face. I believe it now—Pitbabe’s charm is the real deal.”

   “You little…”

   “Babe.”

   Before I could retort, a voice cut through the conversation between me and Willy.

   “What are you doing?”

   I didn’t need to look to know what kind of expression he had.

   “Go inside,” I said softly to Willy.

   “You will be okay?”

   “I’m fine, but if you stay here, it won’t be fine,” I said firmly, pushing Willy toward the house while the owner of that cold voice drew closer. “Go… I’ll handle this.”

   Luckily, Willy was a good kid today. He walked back into the house, though he kept glancing back with concern.

   “Why are you out here?” Charlie looked at me, his expression dead serious. I was pretty sure he showed up right when Willy was handing me that leaf. “And what’s Willy doing here?”

   “Where’ve you been?”

   “I asked first,” Charlie said firmly.

   “I was waiting for you.”

   “With Willy, huh?”

Previous

Next