Jayden’s pov

I left my bike on the floor when I arrived to my destination. I wanted to go back, he was about to ask me something but is better if he doesn’t know me. I wanted to know his name at least but I acted like a fucking arrogant again. Well, it doesn’t matter, most likely, I’ll never see him again. I looked into my bag to put there the white rose I stole from Ms. Resebelt’s garden when I saw my phone bursting with notifications.

When I looked at it, I saw eleven missed calls from my dad, five text messages, also from him, asking where I was. Lili also texted me to remind me to call her and that’s what I’m doing now. After the second ringing she answered my call.

''Jiji, are OK? Are you hurt? Why did you took so long? I was so worried!''  She asked me really fast, obviously worried sick

''Calm down Lili I’m fine don’t worry''  I reassured her

''Don’t tell me that! you know I was going to be worried!!.''

''I’m sorry''   I heard her sigh on the other side of the phone

''Anyways, it's late. Are you in your house already?''

''Actually, I was kind of hoping…. If you let me stay at your place tonight?''  I asked her because I know my dad will be waiting for me in the living room, and the minute I step a foot on my house I’ll be scold for sure, and I honestly don’t want to deal with him right now.

''You know you don’t have to ask. Of course you can stay but please, at least let your dad know. He’s so worried and is been calling me every minute nonstop to see If I know something about where you are.''

''Oh, really?''

''Yes really! He’s your dad and he loves you, of course he’s going to be worried.''

''You are right, I’ll call him.''

''Ok good…. How was the fight? Did you win again?''

''Yes and no''

''What do you mean?''

''I’ll tell you when I’m there, in the meantime, have your first kit ready. I got a broken nose and I think I hurt one of my wounds…. It was an interesting night.''

''Oh Jiji….''

''Yeah I know but is fine, this is nothing…. see you in a bit, love you.''

''I’ll be waiting by the window. Love you too, be safe on your way here.''

After that, we hung up. I put my cellphone aside to get lost in my thoughts again.

There are so many things I want to tell you Lili, tonight was intense. I liked a match where I wasn’t the winner…. And I felt a weird connection or sensation…. I don’t know how the hell to call it but, there are two blue eyes that I would like to see again and I probably won’t because of my arrogance. At the same time, I’m feeling so guilty, the only person that should be on my mind is Rose and she is, she definitely is and always will. However, in the depths of my thoughts, there is this boy, a stranger that I don’t even know the name or face…. Nothing! I know nothing about him and yet, I can’t stop thinking about him, our fight, that encounter on the street. It’s so frustrating…...

I looked at my phone counting to three in order to call my dad. When I pressed the little green telephone, the man answered me instantly, like he was waiting for my call.

''Hey dad….''

''Well, until you finally give life signals. Do you have any idea how worried I am? Please tell me you are OK.''

''I’m OK dad really…''

''Son… ''  he interrupted me

''Dad I’m sorry I….''

''Let me finish!''  he said rising his voice a little

''Yes Sir….''

''Son, I understand that this lost is really hard for you but you need to considerate your father. Put yourself in my shoes for a moment. First, you didn’t want me to take you to the funeral. Second, you disappeared without telling me and you didn’t even go to the burial, that’s really disrespectful son, to Rose, to her family. Everybody was asking where you were. The twins were crying asking for their big brother. I called every place you could possible be asking for you, your friends from school, Lili, by the way, call her and let her know you are safe. Nobody knew about your whereabouts, I didn’t know where to look. I was about to call the police Jayden. You cannot disappear like that!!! ''

''I’m really sorry dad, I know I messed up but I just needed some air…. I know I didn’t go to the burial but I …. I’m not ready to say good bye to her, not yet….''

I’m feeling tears falling down my cheeks. Pressure in my chest. It hurts so much.

''Son I understand really, I do, but you need to…''

''No, you don’t''  I interrupted him  ''You know nothing dad, nothing! ''  I told him rising my voice more than I expected.

There is a pause, the only sound I hear is from my sobs. I feel so angry, so disgusted with myself.

''Jayden …. Just tell me where you are, I’ll pick you up.''

''Dad, I’m sorry, I’m so sorry I didn’t mean to….''

''It’s fine son, is fine. Now, where are you?''

''I’m in Ms. Resebelt’s garden''   I answered him between sobs and with my voice now trembling

''What are you doing there?''

Stealing a white rose…. her favorite. I remember how I used to give her one everyday at school. She loved that, it put on her face the beautiful smile I fell for.

''It doesn’t matter…. I want to be at Lilli's tonight. Please let me.''

I heard my dad sigh. I can picture him closing his eyes and lowering his head before answering me.

''Alrigth, let me grab the keys, I’ll take you there.''

''I’ll go by myself''

''At this hour?! Jayden it's past midnight already.''

''Dad, you know Lili’s house is ten minutes from here.''

''Even so….''

''I want to be alone right now dad, please''.  I begged

There is silence again after a few minutes he speaks again.

''Ok you can go but promise you will call me when you get there. Promise me Jayden!''

''I will dad, I will.''

''Ok Jay.''

''Oh wait dad, How are the twins?''

''They are asleep now, Ms. Resebelt helped me with them, they didn’t want to go to bed because their ‘’big Jiji’’ wasn’t home. You know you will have to make it up to them right?''

''Of course. And Ms. Resebelt helped you out huh?''  I said with my ‘’shipping’’ voice.

Yes, I ship it. My dad and her are in so deep for each other. I keep wondering why are they not together yet. I mean, everybody has notice they like each other but we’ll let them figure it out on their own. Ha! And they say we are the kids.

''Yes…. What’s with that tone in your voice?''

''Nothing dad, is nothing. I’ll call you when I get there OK?''

''I’ll be waiting, be safe son.''

''I promise I will''  I hung up after that.

If you could only knew the fact that I know how to defend myself and oppressed my enemies, that your son has a strange way of releasing his stress and worries. You are too good old man, I will not give you any more disappointments.

I’m about to go on my way to see Lili when suddenly my phone lighted up. It’s a text from her that reads:

“Jiji I went to the pharmacy for some bandages and medical alcohol to treat you, I don’t have any left and oh! If you arrive at my house first, the key is in the same place as always. See you in a bit xoxoxo!!!! ‘’

What would I be without this girl, she’s awesome. I told her that in a text as I get on my bike. I can already see her face when I tell her the events of the night. It was an interested one, indeed it was.