Promise (5)

Chapter 4 : The Missed Calls

"What?! Laugh out loud, babe! Wait till.." Cindy speaks loudly.
We are talking about Emma's holiday. Apparently, it isn't going so well - as planned earlier. She went on a date with one of those guys in our class. It was her first date, to be precise and the guy's actually quite silly - to me, of course. They went to this chinese restaurant and Emma ended up eating something she wasn't fond of but forced herself to and - I'd better not tell this part. In conclusion, it was a total disaster.
So, everybody is now staring at us from every corner of ‘UrHome Cafe’. Thanks to Miss Cindy, we look like three crazy-plus-gone-wild girls although Emma and I only exchange embarrassed looks.
"So, how's yours, Sydney?" Emma cuts her off.
Cindy gives her a look and continues,
"Nah-ah. You ain't gonna change the subject. We are talking about you, my dear friend. Besides, I bet Sydney's too crazy in love, she'll start daydreaming before we ask her anything. Happened once."
I narrow my eyes and say, "Nice, speech."
A waitress then presents the drinks we ordered a few minutes ago. I take their 'signature' juice while both Cindy and Emma order hot chocolate. Hot chocolate's one thing they have in common.
"Thank you," we wish simultaneously.
"Wait till you.." Cindy clears her throat and continues.

Perhaps she isn't going to dig anything from me after all, for today.
After about an hour chit-chatting at the cafe, we start heading from shops to shops. Topshop, Vincci, F.O.S and lots more. It is not until after 3 hours that we stopped. Cindy finally gets her new swimsuit bikini - and she loves it. The last time she gets one was I think 3 years ago. She has been working hard and saving money for it. I am proud of her.
Cindy has been my friend for almost 4 years. We spend a lot of time together reading books. We also have sleepovers at each other's house. Not that we have it often now. Well, I learn that people do grow up.
Although Cindy can be wild at times, she has a big heart.
On the other hand, Emma is the mild-type. She won't go wild like Cindy. I have just met her earlier this year. I feel that she has her very own unique qualities that both Cindy and I don't.
However, three of us get on really well.
At the end of our shopping trip, Emma has her new mini denim skirt which was on sale and I have got two packets of Cassie's favourite dog chew.
As we are walking toward our cab, I notice something sparkling attractively from the corner of my eye. I turn to the right but to see nothing. Just an empty space in front of the mall entrance. Maybe I haven't had enough sleep last night I am beginning to hallucinate.

"Hey, why not we go for lunch?" Cindy suggests as soon as we hit the road. "To the chinese restaurant, anyone?" she grins at Emma who rolls her eyes and then turns to look at me.
"Well? It's one already."
I check my watch. It's 5 minutes past one.
"Err.. Oh, I am so sorry but my mum's making lunch," I apologize and smile.
"So I guess it will only be Emma and I, huh.. Okay," Cindy says, a bit disappointed. I feel a sudden pang of guilt in me for rejecting them. I have no choice. So, they drop me off and I hurriedly enter my house. "Hey, dad!"
"Mmm..what's cooking?" I turn to the kitchen where I see Mum placing two pots on our rosewood dining table.
"Spaghetti and pasta with homemade tomato puree!" Mum announces and then asks, "What you got there?"
"Oh. Nothing much. Just something for Cassie."
"Well, dear. I think it is normal to spend on yourself once in a while."
I walk into the kitchen to grab my lunch. "Well, I don't really have to. Besides, I've spent enough for this summer. Don't worry, Mum. I don't have to spend to be normal."
Mum thinks I shouldn't bother saving too much. Haha, seriously, I won't go nuts not buying anything.
Just when I'm about to finish my so-delicious spaghetti, dad enters from the living hall.
"Ready for lunch?" Mum asks.
"Yeap," Dad replies and gives his stomach a rub. "Oh yeah, honey. Your phone has been ringing all day."
"Hmm? Oh! My phone. Didn't I bring it with me?! Oh-kay.." I finish my last strand of spaghetti and rush up to my room after cleaning my dishes.
There is my phone, on my study table. Right.. I left it there last night.
I check the missed calls. Wow.. Cedric's name is all over the list! I wonder what is so important. I also check the time of the last call. 11.30.. I should have brought my hand phone with me. I was in a rush this morning I forgot.
I speed dial his number.
"Sorry, the number you dialed is currently unavailable.."
"Urgh.." I moan and shut it off.
What if I missed something important? Was he alright? Cedric wouldn't call for nothing important - for so many times!
I try calling him again.
"Hello," I hear him on the line.
"Hey. Are you okay? I wasn't with my phone. I'm sorry."
"I'm fine," his voice breaks as he convinces. He doesn't sound fine. He sounds terrible - miserable.
"No, you don't. What's up? Tell me. Surely you have something important, don't you? Are you sick?"
"Sydney, I am okay."
I feel weird. There's a tone in his voice I am not sure what it is. It sounds like he's suffering from a sore throat. But there's got to be something more serious than that.

"I'll pick you up for dinner tomorrow night. Seven's fine?"
"Seven's fine." I say in disappointment after a pause. Somehow, I don't feel as excited as I always will be. Normally when Cedric asks me out I will end up jumping about in my room. But not now. Something doesn't feel right.
Or maybe he is right. Maybe I am just being paranoid. Maybe he is just upset about having to call me so many times. Maybe he has been calling to ask me out! Yeah..
"See you then. Bye. Love you," he sounds a little more composed.
"Look, if you have a problem, just talk to me. I'll be there for you.. See you tomorrow then. I love you too."
Beep and the call ends.
I have never had such awkward conversations with him before.

I spend my whole day in my room lying on my bed. My mind keeps thinking of Cedric. Of how odd he sounded this afternoon. I can't think of anything that would make him sound so fragile - breakable.
I hear my clock on the wall ticks. Tick-tock-tick-tock. Soon, night has arrived.
I miss him. But I don't dare call him. I am afraid to hear his unusual voice. Silly! Everybody has the right to be upset. He is probably just mad of me.
Argh..what am I worrying about? He just tried over and over again calling me early today and sounded unusual by the time I talked to him. That's all..
I take a deep breath.

Just then Mum calls from below, "Time for dinner, sweetie!"
"Urgh..Sometimes I just wish humans don't eat," I talk to myself. My stomach's rumbling but I don't feel I have an appetite.
"Right! One minute!" I shout. I don't want Mum come knocking on my door, nagging me about how important nutrition is for kids like me.

I don't sleep so easily that night. I can only pray everything will be all right.