Life's Unexpected Surprises - 20. Chapter 7.1 - Hard Conversations - Louder Than Ever

Taxon Jewels

1 Walking into class, there was DJ talking to Evie like it was a normal conversation, but when I got a little closer, Dj ended the conversation and turned away from her. Evie looked over to see me and rolled her eyes. “DJ get over yourself and talk to him!”

DJ didn't move. Just grunted.

I sat down and just shrugged. “Just leave it, Evie.”

She shook her head. “Nope! Dominique Jonathan James Jr. speak to your friend!” DJ turned to Evie with a look of shock. “He's been trying to build a friendship with you. I don't care if you 'like' him just give him a bloody chance dude!”

The whole room was silent as Evie ringed out DJ. The teacher spoke clearly from his desk. “Thank you, Evie, for that. It's their business everyone, leave it be.” That was when the bell went to signal the start of class. “Well now that I have everyone's attention welcome to class.”

The three of us stayed quiet for the entire lesson. Probably the first time ever that happened, Evie and I usually give off little laughs throughout the class. It's a common problem that we usually get in trouble for at least once a week.

Once the lesson was over, and when given the work for the day we sat in that awkward silence for a few moments. DJ was the one who broke it. “I'm sorry I've been such a dick about everything Tax... Could I copy your notes I couldn't pay attention.”

I smiled towards him. “Sure, as long as we hang out this weekend. I finally have a day off from work, thought I'd go down to the youth center.”

“Deal.” I could see the small smile grow on his face. Even if he was trying to hide it from Evie and me.

Evie shook her head. “God was that really so hard DJ?”

“Shut up Evie.” he shot his tongue out at Evie.

She leaned forward and glared at him. “Excuse me, sir?” DJ quickly took my notes and started to copy them. Evie laughed, and we started on the work that was given. DJ quickly joined us and caught up fairly quickly. The three of us were an unstoppable force and got all of the work done in class, even DJ's.

After class was over DJ grabbed my shoulder and pulled me aside. “I really am sorry dude. I didn't mean to cut you out, just didn't know what to do.”

“Don't worry about it. Just, if we do something you don't want to, just tell me about it.” I gave him a little push with my fist against his chest.

There was a small blush on his cheeks. “We didn't do anything I didn't want to do... Just didn't know how to handle my feelings.” DJ couldn't make eye contact with me.

“What does that make us DJ?”

He let out a sigh. “I'm sorry, but I can't be with a guy right now. I do like you, just...” I could see DJ trying to form words but just couldn't do it. He went to speak several times but didn't say anything.

“It's okay DJ; I get it. We can be friends though right?”

He laughed, awkwardly. “Ya, of course. Still sorry about being so rude.”

“That's why we have an Evie in our Lives.” We shared a laughed and headed off towards our next destinations. I'm very glad that Evie crashed DJ's walls down. Now I get my friend I met in the summer again. Even if he's a little awkward about it all right now, that's fine.

Hunter Brooks

3 I sat there staring at my phone waiting for the right time to come around. Mom was going to be home at 6 for a Skype call. I've been so busy with school and mom has been at work, and we haven't had a lot of time to talk. So today was going to be a breath of fresh air.

“Excited?” Nick looked at me over the kitchen table. With a giddy smile on his face. “I know you are, it's written all over your face.”

I couldn't help but blush. “Is it really that obvious?”

“I can read you like a book; you've got similar facial expressions of your father.” I mean mom did tell me that I looked like my dad, guess it's more so than I thought. “That was meant as a compliment but also a warning because I can read Lucas.”

“So what you're telling me is not to lie to you?”

Nick smiled. “Probably a good idea. But that should have been a thing from the get go.” Lying to parents only gets you into more trouble. I learned that the first few times I got into fights. “When is your mom calling?”

“We are Skyping in less than five minutes.” Continuing to watch the clock tick. When there were only a few minutes left I pulled up my laptop and got everything ready. Nick and Lucas left the room to give me privacy. Wouldn't be surprised if they were having sex at a time like this.

Once the time finally came, I stared at the screen. True to her word I got a Skype call just like she said. I accepted instantly and started talking. “Mom you'd never guess what it's been like here!”

Mom just laughed. “You can't even be patient can you?” I shook my head frantically. “Okay tell me all about it. How has life been with your father?”

Mom has no idea what she's in for. “Well, we go to Isaac and Antoine's for dinner every week usually. They have their Niece and Nephew staying with them for a while. Tax and Dash were my first friends here. They are super cool.

“And school is going well. So far no one is rude to me, and there's like five new kids including me.” I didn't know what else to say right off the bat. So I just sort of stopped talking.

“Is that everything?” Mom asked.

I tried to think of something else but couldn't. “I guess so, can't think of anything else.” Mom smiles and shook her head at me. “What?”

“You just look very happy, and that makes me happy.” I couldn't help but blush at her comments. God, I'm such a looser. “So what makes Tax and Dash 'super cool'?”

“Dash has rainbow hair and speaks her mind all the time. Tax is really into his uncle's story Blades of Eternity. They are twins and just good friends to hang out with.”

“I believe Lucas has told me Taxon is gay.” Damnit Lucas why would you tell mom that!? Now she's going to ask me how I feel about him. “What do you think of that?”

“Ya, I know. He's kind of cute when he goes ranting about Blades.” I'm dropping down a deep hole that ends with only one question.

“Do you like him?” There's the question! I knew it was on its way, but I didn't know what the hell to say. I sat there, my face burning up avoiding looking at the camera. All of this was not helping my case. “I'll take that face as a yes. Get to know him a bit and ask him out.”

“MOM!”

Her face got super serious. “Why don't you ask him out?” I shrugged; I didn't know what even to say to ask him out. Ask anyone out for that matter. “I'll change the topic then, do you know anything about the kid from the airport?”

I popped up in my seat. “His name is Quinn!”

“Odd name for a boy but let's face it; you know a boy named Taxon.” True, whoever came up with the name Taxon is one odd person. “So his name is Quinn, does he go to your school?”

I nodded. “Ya, he's in grade 8. He's still a little skittish but not as bad as the day at the airport. I haven't really seen him much, but we share nods and stuff in the hallway as we pass by.”

“I wonder what makes him so skittish.” Mom thought mostly to herself.

I took it upon myself to mention my opinion. “I think he's had bullying issues. There was this guy Vince who was bothering him on the first day of school.”

“You didn't get in a fight did you?” She almost glared at me but was waiting for my response before getting into a flat out glare.

I frantically shook my head and waved my hands in surrender. “No, no, no, no! Vince backed off there wasn't any fight. I was just trying to help the kid.”

“That's what you said back here and look what happened.” Ya, she's right, I can very easily see me coming to Quinn's side and fighting someone for him. “You promised no fights.”

“Yes Ma'am!” Mom looked unimpressed by my comment. She always was, I usually said it when I was getting into trouble and being sent to my room. So it has basically become a statement of my revenge of sorts.

The conversation turned to really boring stuff like school and grades. There isn't anything more boring than that stuff. It sure was good to catch up with Mom, though. She's great to talk to.

Taxon Jewels

4 Dash had this creepy grin on her face while we were sitting down for dinner. Mom and dad had talked to us earlier and said they would be in town before Christmas for sure but no confirmed date yet. I guess this is what happens when your dad gets some well-paying jobs as he's trying to move.

When we finally got excused from dinner Dash came into my room and continued grinning at me. “You're very creepy... what do you want?”

“How are we going to get you and Hunter together?” I had a little freak out and gave a bunch of questioning looks towards her. “What do you think of that?”

“Why do Hunter and I need to get together?”

“Isn't it obvious?” No not really, or else I wouldn't have asked. “You two look like you'd be a great couple! Since DJ is off the table now for you he's the only shot you have at a boyfriend here” My sister is crazy. I don't need a boyfriend, would like one but no need for one right now.

“So you think because we look good together... we should be together.” She nodded with a smile. “That doesn't mean that we're compatible.”

“Then we'll just have to do a compatibility test for you two!” I just closed my eyes and rubbed my temples. “It's not as stupid as it sounds. You just have to get to know him more and see if you still like him. If you do, then it's asking out time!”

“How long do I have before you nag me about this again?”

She shrugged. “I don't know, probably tomorrow or something. Either way, Hunter and I are going to be best friends if you two happen or not!” This girl just decides things and people have no input on these things.

“Hunter and I have zero input on this don't we?” She gave this evil smile before leaving my room in a hurry. “THAT'S NOT FAIR DASH!”

“DOESN'T HAVE TO BE LITTLE BROTHER!!”

“I CAME OUT FIRST!” What am I going to do with that sister of mine? She's got to be insane. Oh god... does that mean I'm next?

Chapter End.