A Little Tumble

^^^ Hehe😁 that meme tho. I'd be the person with the 3D glasses & the popcorn cryin and tellin him to stop playin. So a little in between.

Anyways, I got a question. Do they have advanced Gym, cause I was at Gym and one class was going all out. Like, squats and shit. I was gaping. Like 😮😮 I'll pray for y'all. Oh! And they're all guys too...

There's my answer. 😏

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I was a disturbed child lol. I'm not the same guys, and I feel like that shows. I'm sure Justin's fine though.

**~**

It was finally dismissal and I didn't get to flee in freedom like I want to. The reason being, I still have Arthur's jacket, and if I don't return it to him, I'm going to feel like a complete criminal breaking the biggest law. So I have to give it back. I can't take it home, even though he's right next door but he's always home late and worse, it's Friday, so he probably won't even be home until tomorrow, which means, no sleep for me.

I've been standing in the school's parking lot for about ten minutes, not paying much attention to the kids practically sprinting to their cars and speeding away. The parking lot's still full, as I said, it's a very big school. It houses three to four floors and a basement so I don't think this lot clears until half an hour after the final bell. It probably still takes longer than that with the traffic but I wouldn't know, I always leave the second I get out.

The kids that are still here are lounging around their cars with friends, while I'm standing here dying to go home, to be embraced by the warm confines of my bed. The only thing that's ever there all the time when I need comfort. My parents don't need to know about this thought.

Standing on my tiptoes, I try to look over the countless number of cars -- trying to spot him, but he's nowhere in sight. I drop my head with a sigh, pep-talking myself mentally. I'd just have to drop it off at his place if his mom's home or something.

When I looked back up, Jasmine was almost in my face. Startled, I take a stumbling step back, watching her cat eyes narrow threateningly at me. I can see the anger she's trying to suppress. But again. What is this chick? Where did she even come from?

"I don't know what that little stunt was you pulled after lunch, but watch it." Her voice was low and added to the effect was her glaring eyes.

I stare at her blankly. "You soaked my shirt," I said slowly, hoping that she has at least some common sense.

"Are you trying to compete with me?" She does not. It's like she ignored what I said or didn't even listen. That or she has really bad, short-term memory.

The confusion's clear as day on my face, I'm sure. "You're not even in my league." Shock crosses her features at what I just said. Not gonna lie, I was a little shocked too. That was not supposed to come out. Around us, I can hear a crowd of whistles, snickers, and hoots. That's when I noticed a crowd was forming from the few kids that were close enough.

"What?" She says, her voice low.

A tired sigh passed my lips. I really don't feel like doing this.

"Look, I'm just looking for Arthur-"

"Why?" She cuts me off harshly.

Her toned caused anger to rise in my chest. "I don't see how that's any of your business." I retorted.

"He is my business." She glares at me, her teeth clenched.

"Oh? He said you guys aren't even friends."

Her head tilts and fire lit in her eyes. "Definitely not friends." She blinks lazily and adds, "Neither was your boyfriend but I fucked him anyway." The crowd 'ooh'ed at that.

"WHAT!" I hear John's voice breaking through the crowd.

My heart fell- no that wasn't the right way to put it. It jumped off a skyscraper, got hit by a truck, ran over by a van, and dumped into the shallowest part of the ocean, where sharks and other unknown ugly creatures devoured it.

I had no intention of getting back with John, but my feelings for him are still there, and as much as I wish I could just turn them off, I couldn't. I still get that fluttery feeling in my stomach when I see him in the hall, the need to hold his hand when he's at my reach, and the urge to press my lips to his -- to feel him with me. But it doesn't matter anymore because all of my second thoughts of breaking up with him were shattered just by the thought, 'he cheated on me'. Now I'm sure it's time to move on.

I tilt my head to the side, staring into Jasmine's smug eyes and said, "It's sad really..."  Her expression didn't change much, but her eyes rolled, "But when you can actually keep a man, I'll let that affect me. Just a heads up, I don't think sleeping with them will equal to them wanting you for anything other than that." I ignore the obnoxious crowd and watch her face turn red. I can tell she's pissed, but I couldn't bring myself to care anymore. "But it's okay," I added, my head shaking. "You can have him. Doesn't matter to me anymore."

With that, I get in my car. As soon as the driver's door slams shut, John is at my window shouting some nonsense. I quickly lock the door, when I see him reaching for the handle. A sigh passes my lips, but I wind the window down an inch.

"She's lying, Grace," he emphasizes, his eyes pleading. "I'd never even- let's just talk, please."

"There's nothing to talk about." My eyebrows furrow up at him as I frown.

"She's lying!" He exclaims.

"I don't think she is."

"Bab-"

I already started pulling out of the parking spot before he can finish. I try not to feel guilty when I catch a glimpse through my rearview of his angered figure looming over a scared-looking Jasmine--yelling in her face.

**~**

I finally press the doorbell to Arthur's house after standing there for about five minutes, contemplating if I should. I have a strong feeling he's not home, but I have to return the jacket even if it means indirectly. Maybe someone's here who I can give it to, preferably his mom, or sister; the only other two occupants I'm aware of.

I stood there, before his house, for the first time in my life, feeling utterly out of place, fidgeting so much I'm almost jumping, and waiting for someone to open the door. I give up after a couple of seconds too long, contemplating whether I should fold it and leave it on the chair on their fancy porch or over the railing, then thought that was a bit rude, so I settle on leaving instead.

I'm walking down the steps when I hear his voice.

"You couldn't have waited another second?"

I wasn't scared of Arthur, other than his incredible talent of saying the most brutal things that came to his mind that would have anyone in tears. And me... I'm a very emotional person. If he even talks to me the wrong way, I'd break down. Which is why I stayed away from him these past few years. So his ability to pop up is enough to startle me sometimes. Which is what happened.

I turn back at a pace quicker than my normal, which causes my body to rock, unbalanced. And given my weight and height, it's pretty easy for me to lose my balance, mostly if I'm jumpy. I only started yoga this summer and I'm not a pro at it either.

So that explains why the result of my swift movement ends up with my ankle twisting at a very uncomfortable angle and me falling back on my backside. And also, me being me, I scream bloody murder, and the light flashes before my eyes.

This is it. The Lord is calling me.

"Grace!" Arthur exclaims as if I threw myself down. In less than a second, he's kneeling next to me and trying to help me up. "If you hadn't screamed I would've laughed." I glare at his bluntness.

"It's your fault anyway. Go ahead and rub salt in the wound, better yet, why don't you just jump up and down on my stomach, you devil ridden child." I hiss in his face.  Arthur blinks at me, obviously stunned by my words. I can't help it, this is how I am when I'm in too much pain."Take me home!" I shout. My ankle feels like it's being sawed off.

He nods vigorously and tries to get me up on my feet. I cry out at the pain shooting through my foot, and he lowers me back down.

"Does it hurt?" He asks, his voice filled with worry.

I put on a bright smile, grinning up at him. "No. Not at all. Feels like I'm skipping on sunshine."

His eyes narrow and I gulp subtly, remembering who I was dealing with. "Tone down the attitude, all right. I don't wanna be an asshole and leave you out here, just cause you're acting like a brat." He says, his eyes warning.

Instantly, my grumpy pants disappear and I pout at him. "Sorry," I say softly, my voice no more than a whisper. "But it's not like I'd be screaming if it didn't hurt."

He sighs, his arms becoming more firm around me as he adjusted himself. "That was a stupid question on my part, that's my bad. I just didn't know what to do, but let's try to get you home." He shifts one of his arms under the back of my knees and another supporting my upper body. God, Is he really doing this again? But since he proved himself before, I just clung to his shoulders and sent a short prayer to Jesus.

I let out a loud groan slash scream, that I'm sure the whole neighborhood heard when he finally got up and my ankle moved too far in the wrong direction. It caused a sharp zing and I know my nails are scratching him. With every step, my groans and screams of agony got louder and louder. At one point I spotted Arthur rolling his eyes. My head was dropped back and swigging, with my eyes closed.

"What the- Grace, what the hell!" I hear my dad shout. "What happened!" Why's he home so early these days?

"She tripped," Arthur says, chuckling a little. I open one of my eyes to glare at him and he grins.

"Are you kidding me? Another one?" My dad hisses lowly, giving me a look and I knew exactly what that meant.

It's because Arthur's white. As was John. He doesn't make it a secret that he wasn't very fond of my choice of partner before, and apparently this one too, even though I wasn't dating the guy. But John was my first boyfriend, if he wanted me to date a black boy, he could've been a little more forward about it with my mom. It probably wouldn't have changed anything, I'll date who I want. As long as they're legal and do legal things.

Warmth envelopes my face. "It's not like I threw myself down his steps to pick him up, Dad." I hiss back. Blushing a lot more when Arthur let's out a very fake, but humorous, cough.

I caught his eye roll before my father took a step forward, arms outstretched. "Okay, I'll take her-"

He was cut off before he could even finish. "No, don't fight. I'm worth it but please..." I trail off with a long sigh.

There was silence, then, "Ain't nobody fighting over you, fool. You hit ya damn head?"

My eyes opened, my jaw practically climbing down Arthur and onto our colorful welcome mat.  I ignore Arthur's feeble attempts to keep himself from laughing. Either that's why his body was shaking or his arms were getting tired and he was about to drop me. Most likely both.

I lift myself up in Arthur's arms and wrap my arms around his neck, glaring at my dad. "Well," I say breathlessly, acting as if I was offended. I turn back to Arthur. "Take me home my humble steed." He stares down at me in amusement, a smile pulling at the corners of his lips.

He looks up at my dad. I looked at him also and saw him make a face, but nodded anyway. He turns and leads Arthur up our porch, and opens the door wide enough to let us through.

"Suzan, your kid out here throwin' herself down for no reason!" My dad shouts as he closes the door after us.

"I didn't throw myself down!" I defend, cringing at the thumping pain that seemed to me growing and crawling up my leg.

"I know you didn't get all that stupid from me." I hear him mutter as he points Arthur to the living room.

I glare as Arthur walks by him. "I'm telling."

He makes a face, shaking his head. "I don't give a damn, little girl."

I was about to reply when Arthur turns me wrong and I cry out, trying to keep my leg from moving. He apologizes a couple of times, entering the brightly lit room with my groaning following. He's about to put me on the couch when I stop him.

"Put me on the floor. I'm gonna die anyway." I say dramatically.

He gives me a look and scoffs. "No." Then he sets me on the couch. He's extra careful in taking my shoes off, but it still hurt like a snicker and I cried anyway after telling myself I could get through it. I'm a big softy. "Would you stop." He gives me a deadpanned stare.

"But it hurts." I pout at him. "You should kiss it better."

He raises an eyebrow at me, but he leans forward a second later. "No, ew, I was kidding." I try to stop him, but he's already placing butterfly kisses on my ankle. I started giggling because it tickles, but I can't move my foot.

"Awe." I angle my head to see my parents standing in the living room doorway.

"That's nasty." Is my dad's response, his face looking like he's smelling something unpleasant. "You'll never catch me dead..." He trails off, shaking his head.

That's until my mom turns to him. "You like frontin', don't you?" She retorts, not giving him a chance to respond before she's walking over to us. He gapes at her distancing back. She does that a lot. I told him to stop going up against her--she's ruthless.

My gaze returns to Arthur when he chuckles. "I didn't hear a thing."

"Don't laugh at my crazy parents," I whisper-shout at him.

He lifts his hands in a surrender motion and says, "I'm not..." then he adds slowly, "...saying they're crazy..."

"Hey, Arthur. Haven't heard from you in a while," my mom says as she got closer, my dad's narrowed eyes still following her and I know he was gonna bring up her betraying retort later, at some point.

"No time for small talk." I get out urgently when I feel the thumping starts to get worse. "Should I just go to the hospital?"

"Quiet, child." My mom scowls, then turns her attention back to Arthur.

My lips part in betrayal. My own mother! I cross my hands over my chest and turn my face into the back of the couch. I can't even look at them right now.

Arthur responds and I could tell he was more than amused. He's been enjoying himself. He should've been charged at the door for all this entertainment. "Yeah."

"I wonder why not." My dad says out loud.

"Yeah. Why?" My mom asks, genuinely curious, unlike my dad's judging tone.

I know I've seen them hold a conversation or two with Arthur on some occasions, mostly when they catch him outside. I imagine they just talk about casual stuff, like school and grades and all that boring stuff parents wanna know for no reason.

"Uhh... umm..." I heard him swallow loudly, and my stomach churn at the thought that he was too busy with other chicks and partying to ever be home.

I don't doubt that that's the reason. I've heard his drunken stumbling in his room one too many times. And other times when I committed a sin I didn't know about and God decides to punish me, I hear inhumane sounds wafting out of his room when I decide to keep my balcony doors open. But like I said, he's a free spirit. He can be with whoever whenever he wants, so the stupid feeling in my gut can bug right off.

"Can someone look at my leg now!" That came out a lot louder than intended and my heart lurched at the silence that followed. I slowly turn my head from the back of the couch, catching my dad's expression first.

He'd drew back, his arms still crossed from before, his face was saying, 'don't let your mother kill you' and 'watch your tone', at the same time.

I didn't even look at Arthur, just cut my gaze to my mom with a sheepish look and I mutter, " Please... sorry."

She hums and nods slowly. I guess she didn't want to embarrass me, because she just said, "I'll go get my kit." Then she's up and off.

"And ima go with you." My dad adds, following her out of the room and I knew I'm gonna be waiting for at least ten minutes cause he gonna go complain to her again about showing him up when there's company.

I turn my head back into the back of the couch, not being able to hide my embarrassment.  I was ashamed that I got angry because Arthur has flings and hookups. I shouldn't care about that because that's who he is and it's stupid of me to be worked up over it. And I snapped on my mom. It's a good thing she wasn't standing next to my dad when I did because she reached for her foot faster when she's farther away. I would've been eating dust off her slipper.

"Hey." His voice was close to my head, and his breath hitting my neck. "What's up, gorgeous?" He moves my hair and uses his fingers to turn my head to him, staring into my eyes.

"Sorry, I just," I take a deep breath. "I get like this when I'm in pain." It's not entirely a lie. "I'm not used to physical pain."

"You shouldn't be used to any kind of pain," he murmurs, then smiles at me, making me do the same. "You should give me a couple days warning when it's close to your time of the month, though." My smile fell and I ended up glaring at him. "Kidding. But seriously, you should."

I roll my eyes. As if I would. Idiot.