Chapter31. Squall

How do you save a friendship, salvage your relationship, and make yourself sane without ruining the whole thing? I would appreciate if someone in my make-believe audience tell me, because sitting there, watching Genesis with her head down, eyes drawn away from me, pen moving, was driving me crazy.

But it wasn't just her being busy. Student council presidents were always busy. It was the silence in-between that got me. I knew that the moment the pen stopped writing, we would go back to uncomfortable silence; the kind of silence that lingered in the air, hang like a noose, suffocated. I didn't want to lose my girlfriend with that. I loved her too much. So I jumped on the table.

Genesis gaped at me almost immediately. There was a line on her notebook the length of a finger, indicating when the table shook when I got on, or more directly, when I disturbed her concentration.

Her brows were knitting when I dangled Boy and Girl in front of her. We were alone in the student council office. I could improvise. "Hey, Girl. Ask mama what she's been doing."

"Desti—"

"Mama, what have you been doing?" Girl cut off in her small voice. Her wooden feet touched the table, walked to Gene, then bent for a bow. Her hand extended to touch Genesis' face. "Destiny misses you."

Gene closed her eyes, then sighed. She didn't answer at once, and I held onto the strings, the only thing connecting us. Finally, her eyes opened. "I was trying to make a report," she said, voice husky. Genesis was looking directly at me, something she hadn't done for weeks.

I bit my lip. "What's the report about?"

"Come here and I'll show you."

My chest was squeezing when I let go of Girl and Boy's strings and sat with my legs crossed on the table. Genesis pushed the notebook between us and curled a finger so I'd come closer. I leaned down to look at the words she'd written.

"See that?" She pointed to a paragraph. It was cursive, formal, and looked like it had been done by a professional. Before I ruined it, that is. "I'm supposed to write on this notebook and give it to the Principal by the end of the day. These are suggestions coming from the students."

"Shit."

"I'll rewrite it." She shut the notebook and shrugged. "There's nothing you can't redo as long as you know where you made the mistake. Do you realize that?"

"Genesis. . ."

"Is it me?" Her next words came as a surprise that I had to swallow the lump building on my throat. Gene's eyes had become hooded in a span of seconds, but I could still see the hurt there. I only had myself to blame. "Is it me?" she repeated, voice trembling. "Are you disgusted?"

"What? No!" I grabbed her hand before she could draw back. I wanted her to understand without explaining, but how could I do that? "Gene, I'm severely attracted to you. To. . . To everything you have to offer."

She snorted. "Destiny, you pushed me away."

"I wasn't ready." She raised an eyebrow. "Well I was, but. . ." My words trailed. My hands were shaking again. Every time I thought of it, my stomach would turn. How could I tell her without losing the twins? She'd kill Spencer. She'd never forgive him. And after they've tried to be civil for my sake, I couldn't let that happen. But what about me? What about us? I wiped the corner of my eye.

Genesis saw what I did and slackened. Her eyes that had tried to pierce me a while ago was tender now. She caressed my cheek. "I'll respect your decision," she murmured. "I'll wait for you. I've been doing that for years. And. . ." She breathed hard. "And even if we don't go there, I'll still love you. Nothing will change. I'm so crazy for you. Do you know that?"

The notebook in front of me was getting soaked with tears. I wiped my eyes some more and tried to grin through it.

Was it relief? No, not really. Truth was, I wanted to hold her that way, to be closer than anyone has ever been, but I needed to get over some things.

"I'm so sorry," I whispered.

Her finger traced my jaw. "Don't apologize. I just needed an explanation. That's all."

I nodded to her, but I was still guilty. And needy. And so, so horny, I could only blame my age. "Maybe we should do you first," I suggested.

Her eyes widened in shock. "Destiny!"

"What? Isn't my proposal good enough, Miss President?"

Gene stared at the door, then to me, looking so lost she might be in another room altogether. Her face eventually smoothed back to composure. She exhaled. "Don't make a joke like that again. You're going to give me a heart attack."

The leftover flush on her cheek made me smile. Despite everything, the confusion, we were going to be alright.

At lunchtime, the twins weren't at our usual table. They were on a corner where no one ever sat because it was next to the trash, huddled with their heads together. I went to them.

"Uhm, why are you guys here?"

The twins stopped talking when I placed my tray on the table. Spencer spared me a glance, but Ester kept on shaking her head and didn't seem to notice me. Their conversation continued in low volume.

"What if it closes?"

"It won't. We have the right papers."

"But if it does! Sis, I don't know if I'll get the scholarship. What will I do? I'm not as bright as you."

"You are bright, Spence. You just use your head for other things."

My worry increased with every word, yet the twins had a world of their own, problems to solve. And it didn't seem like they wanted to include me, or Genesis who had also made her way to us.

I shook my head at Gene when she placed her tray next to me and gave a quizzical stare. I didn't know what the deal was with the twins. And though I wanted to help, it was best if I left them alone for now.

Right after school hours, Genesis and I walked through the wood store together. Dad was in the middle of varnishing an upright grandfather clock. He paused when he saw us come in, then waved us closer. "Close the door behind you," he instructed.

Genesis went to him while I turned the lock behind me. "Where's the staff?" I said.

Dad made room for Gene before glancing at me. "I sent the boys packing early after you texted me that you were coming. What was it you said you needed for the school fair?"

"Something scary," I said. "The student council was gracious enough to let me join the horror booth with them."

The smell of the varnish was strong, so I coughed a couple of times while making my way to them. Dad had handed Genesis the brush. "Destiny told me you're interested in painting," he told her. "Do you only have your eyes on the canvas?"

"No, Mr. Jones." Genesis reached to the table so she could dip the tip of the brush in the can. She let the excess drip before starting at the grandfather clock. A silly smile had begun to spread on her face. "I like everything I can get my hands on," she said. "Even this."

"I see." Dad nodded approvingly while he watched Gene paint. The brush had become an extension of her hand. She looked happy doing her thing, and I was happy, too, just staring at her. Dad's eyes flickered to me, then back to Gene again. "You know. . . You can call me dad," he said.

Gene faltered on a spot. "R-really?"

"Of course." Dad motioned to me. "Join us, Des. I have something to show both of you."

A warm fizzle was bubbling inside me when the three of us crowded in front of the clock. It was taller than dad by several inches, had intricate etchings, and except for the varnish and the still second-hands on the face, it was ready to be sold.

Dad pointed to it like a loving father to a child. "Do you know how long I've built this thing?"

"I don't know. Hours?" I cocked an eyebrow at him.

"Days," he corrected. "And in a day or two, it's going to have another home in another place, with another family." He scratched his chin. He'd shaved this morning, but hair was already growing out. "Now I know it's not time for a lesson. You came here to ask for help with the school fair. But since you're both here, I want to say that whatever you wish to build for yourselves in the future, do it with love. That way, when you're out in the world, just the two of you, you'll be strong together. Clear?"

I glanced at Gene. "Yes, dad."

"Yes, dad," she repeated.

Dad clapped both our shoulders and steered us to another table. "What kind of scary thing do you need again?"

"We want something. . ." The three of us stared at the door. Someone had knocked. "Who's that?" I said.

Dad dropped his hand on my shoulder and squeezed between me and Gene so he could see who it was through the glass. My mouth opened a fraction when Woody and the Potatoes ambled in. Dad cleared his throat. "Do you by any chance know each other?"

"Yeah," I said. "What are they doing here?" My question was aimed at everyone, especially at Woody. She didn't tell me she'd drop by.

Woody avoided my eyes by staring at dad. "We asked Mr. Jones for help at the school fair," she said.

"The more, the merrier." He sounded enthusiastic.

But I wasn't. Neither was Genesis. And I knew why. After Shorty threatened her that one time in the Wood club about telling me her sexuality, it was understandable for Gene to feel sour. I reached for her hand and squeezed. That took away most of her scowl.

"Go to my room," I murmured. "I'll just tell dad about the project and follow you there."

"Okay." Genesis faced dad before leaving. "I'll come back when you're less busy, sir."

He cringed. "Hey, where did the dad go?"

I followed Gene all the way to the door, waited for her to exit, before getting Woody's attention. Dad and the Potatoes settled into a discussion while Woody and I talked by the door.

"Where have you been these past few weeks?" I started. "You haven't answered my messages." I've left her one or two, maybe three. I've been too caught up with Genesis to feel bad that she hadn't replied, but now that we were both here, she might as well tell me what was going on.

Woody shifted her weight to the other foot. Her eyes were anywhere but on me. "I was busy," she excused.

"With what? We used to sit on the fire exit to talk about anything."

"Not anymore." Her eyes went to me. "I have a girlfriend. Priorities change."

"Oh."

"Yeah, oh."

I folded my arms. Why do I get the feeling that she was mad at me for some reason? I searched my brain for anything I might have done but came up with none. Was I ever rude to her?

I uncrossed my arms and made a mental shrug as I turned away. She wasn't in the mood to talk. I got that. "Okay, Woody, I'll see you later."

"Destiny, wait."

I glanced at her over my shoulder. "Yeah?"

Guilt flitted on her face. "It's not that I'm avoiding you," she said, "but my girlfriend is the jealous type. You understand that, right?"

My head nodded automatically. "I know where you're coming from. If you don't want to be friends anymore. . ."

"We're still friends," she rushed. The guilt disappeared, replaced by something unreadable. "I just don't want you to think that I'm mad or anything, because I'm not. And I told you before. I'll never lie to you. You remember that?"

The weight on my chest disappeared. Woody did tell me that before. She'd helped me through much, why wouldn't I trust her?

"Yes, I remember." I stuck my tongue to her. "Better keep that promise, or else."

Genesis was staring at my window when I entered my room. Looking at her, I couldn't have chosen a better spot for her to be sitting on. The sun streaming through the glass pane was playing on her face. And with her contact lenses officially put under lock and key, she was more herself than she'd ever been in the last few days.

I went to her side and knelt. "I thought the skip in my heart whenever I looked at you when we were young was just me growing old." I placed my chin on her lap. "But it's just me loving you. Who would have thought?"

Genesis stroked my hair. "What if I didn't admit my feelings for you?" she murmured. "Would you have known what you were?"

I buried my nose on her palm and inhaled. "I don't know," I answered. "Why?"

"Hmm," she said.

"Hmm again?"

"Hmm." Gene's left hand massaged my nape, then my back, until she was bent and kissing my cheek. "I'm the jealous girlfriend too," she whispered. "I don't like it when you talk to other girls."

I stared at her in surprise. "Are you talking about Woody?"

Chaos crossed her features when she closed her eyes. "I'm trying to control myself, Destiny. Let's leave it at that."

My heart was palpitating when she continued caressing my back, and I rested against her. There was something appealing about finding these things out, of knowing that she cared enough, that she was scared of losing me. I wanted to show her that nothing could come between us. Something primal in me, something feral wanted to carry her to the bed and prove that. But I settled with closing my eyes too. The feelings this girl brought out in me.

It was darker when I came to. I wiped my mouth and raised my head. My pillow, Genesis, was sleeping soundly on the chair. The doorbell rang again.

Getting up, I was careful not to make a sound as I went to the door and left my room. The hallway was dim.

"Dad?"

My voice was drowned by the next doorbell, but I wasn't too bothered by it because I heard movements coming from downstairs, footsteps that told me dad was in the house. I went to the stairs, hand on the rail, until I caught a glimpse of dad opening the front door.

My eyes narrowed. Why were the police here? Were they looking for Gene? I glanced up the stairs. She was probably still asleep. Also, the governor would send for Dindo, not two officers with a flashing patrol car. "Dad? What's wrong?"

My voice was clear. He heard me before stepping out. "It's nothing, Des." He waved me upstairs. "I'll come back in a while."

I sank on the step when the door closed. It didn't look like nothing.

A/N: Heads up, about less than 10 chapters left. :)