TEN | LAKAD

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M A R Y S S A c a r l t o n

I started reading books when I was thirteen, I can't remember the title though. But I remember it's a story of a little girl who wanted to be a ballerina, to be as graceful as a swan and of course, in the end she did. It was a fifteen-paged book, and I could still feel the swell of pride as soon as I read the 'The End'. Jomary (the owner of the book) even greeted me for finishing the book (which took less that five minutes to read).

  Ever since then, reading became my hobby. It first started when Jomary would let me borrow her books, then I had my very first book-- Ida B.--courtesy of Jomary. Well, she didn't exactly gave it to me; I practically begged her to give it to me (took me about 2 minutes to 'beg'). I didn't understand why I wanted that book than the others, then. 

Anyways, after that book, my collection started to grow. At first I would pick out random stories and soon realized most of them are trilogies, series (that was so frustrating, though, I couldn't understand what the eff's happening!) so everytime I'd go book-hunting, I would make sure that either a.) they're stand-alone or b.) the first book in the series.

And then, I understood why I wanted Ida B. a few years back.

No matter how many books I have, no matter how many trilogies, series, I have read; I'd always go back to Ida B., I would never get tired reading it again and again and again. We have the connection.

  And that is how Lucca Easton found me: re-reading Ida B. for the 9th time.

"Hey." He greeted, and plopped down beside me. "How are you feeling?" 

"Uhm . . . I'm fine. Thank you, by the way." I answered, not even looking at him. 

Ever since I got sick (which was three days ago), and learned he was the one who tended to me, I felt about sixty times more awkward around him than before. My sister (a wee scunner she is!) decided it's a good time to abandon her sick sister and go party that time. Lucca didn't even know (still don't) I have a sister. 

  ****

  "Hunny, we're sorry we couldn't get to you sooner." My mom cooed. "It's just that, we have to work so hard to meet the ends. Life isn't that easy anymore . . . you understand that, right?" 

I pushed myself to spend dinner with them, since I was feeling a lot better now. I mean, I've been holed up in my room for two days. Plus I don't want to be a burden and have them bring me food upstairs when they are loaded with work. I nodded.

"Thank you for being understanding, hunny. Oh Lawren! We have to thank that kid for taking care of our baby--"

Wait, let me backtrack a little. "Uhm mom? What do you mean?"

My mom paused. 

"The kid who brought you home? The kid who played nurse with you?" This time it was my father who answered. Played nurse?

"W-wha-?" I spluttered. "Bu-but I thought Lory--"

"No." My father snapped. "Lory was at some friend's house having an overnight while you were sick. It was that Lucio guy who tended to you until we got home."

My mom touched my father's arm. "It's Lucca, dear."

I stopped eating. Why would Lucca do that? I mean, yes, that's sweet. But did he really have to go through all the trouble taking care of a probably delirious me?

"It didn't know Maryssa was sick!" Lory suddenly exclaimed. 

"Or perhaps you did, but just ignored!" My father bellowed. 

And so, our dinner ended with Lory walking out, my father with a red face, a mother who was doing some damage control, and a daughter who wishes she could be oblivious to all this.

      ****

"I told you for the nth time, Maryssa, it's fine!" 

This time, I glanced at him at offered a small smile. "I know, but it's . . . embarassing seeing me like that. Why though?"

"Why what?"

I put my bookmark on the page I was reading and closed the book. "Why go through all the trouble tebding to me when you can just put a cold towel on my forehead?"

"Maybe because I care for you?"

"No you don't." My answer was automatic, and I felt hysterical inside. He was being ridiculous! He was fucking ridiculous. I let hysterical giggles out of my body. "You fucking don't." I repeated, couldn't stop myself from cursing. 

I could see a thin thread at the back of my mind, as thin as a strand of a hair, and it snapped into two. Everything in me snapped, and every emotion I bottled up for the past month just broke; I wasn't ready for the rush of emotions filling me.

Lucca had his mouth slightly opened. "Maryssa I---"

But I didn't hear him anymore--I refuse to. I stood up, and took a step back. "Leave me alone, Lucca." the coldness of my voice was enough to give you chills.

"I-I don't u-understand, Mar---"

"Damn fucking right you don't." 

With that said, I walked--more like ran--away from him and his bullshit.

  ***

a/n: Who has read Ida B. by Katherin Hannigan? It's a good book! nudge nudge.