Twilight Rays

5. Keep an eye on you

A few hours later, I was back from school and stumbled on Clara when I opened the front door. " Don't you have work? Like right now?"
" I skipped it."
That did not look like Clara.
" What's wrong?"
She rolled her eyes then told me:
" Mom asked me to keep an eye on you."
" Are you freaking kidding me? I'm turning 18 in two months!"
" I know, she's been way overprotective. I think it's the moving thing."
" I don't even work yet, why bother?
" Maybe she thinks that, you know, you wanna go back in Haiti."
" Where did she get that idea, there's nothing there for me."
I tried to sound indifferent but failed miserably. I wish I had family there. I wish I could speak fluent Creole again. I wish I actually looked like my family. But we do say 'Be careful what you wish for' for a reason. So I'm not planning to visit my birthland anytime soon.
Clara noticed the weird intonation in my voice but wisely decided to not bring that up. She had an even brighter idea.
" Why don't we both move out?" she told me.
I was so shocked I never thought of that idea first!
" Wait, you're being serious here? That would be perfect!"
" Yeah, that would be totally cool, I'm a bit scared of being alone."
I smiled thankfully to her and she sighed with relief.
" So... what are you gonna tell Mom?"
" I got this one covered", she assured me with a wink.
" But where you goin?"
" You can take care of yourself, I'm going at Jo's place. I'll be back before mom does." she promised.

But when the front door was opened by no other than Mom herself, 3 hours later, I got a little worried.
" Hi, Mom!" I scream from my room.
" Twilla, can you come downstairs for a minute? I need to talk to you. "
I was a bit scared by her tone, but had no choice but to join her in the kitchen.
" I gotta admit that I might have overreacted a little bit with this whole moving thing. "
" A little bit?" You did ignored me an entier day and asked Clara to babysit me!"
"Really? I was about to ask you to watch her, she has been acting weird lately..."
" See? You're too suspicious, just because we're moving out, doesn't mean we don't love you anymore!"
She sighed but that just meant I was winning.
" Okay, we can talk about it, I suppose..."
" Thanks Mom!"
I ran upstairs and dialed Clara's number- I was too excited to look for it in my contacts. But she didn't answer. I called twice, but there was no response. And Clara never missed a phone call. She was acting so weird!

About 20 minutes passed before my phone buzzed, indicating me I received a new text. Thinking it was my sister, I immediately unlocked my screen. But, surprisingly, Raja was the one who had texted me on Facebook.

Blood rushed to my cheeks as I was typing my answer on the keyboard. I almost got a heart attack when my phone buzzed in my hands a few seconds later.
Raja: I'm good, how's life in university? I don't go to college XP
Me: How come? Starting in January or you have other plans? And yeah, it's fine I guess, but I'm in French Studies so my experience may be a little biased XD.
Raja: Actually, I want to go study in Europe, but I first wanna check which city between London, Amsterdam and Paris I rather study in, so I'm saving money for that trip :) And cool, what do you want do with that? Writer?

I was shocked to see that a almost stranger figured out my dream faster than my family and best friend. Usually, I always get the " You wanna teach?" question.

Me: Yeah, how did you figured that out? Like people keep assuming I wanna ne a teacher but I write since high school! Also, it's the only major I see myself finish without a burn out ;P And wow for your academic plans! I'll pray for it to go well :D
Raja: Yes please, could really use those prayers! Omg what do you write about? Any specific kinds? Send me smth, would love to check it out if you don't mind :)

Raja wanted to check my writing. And wasn't laughing at me for praying for him.

Me: Poetry, songs and novels. I don't have a specific type of book, but I am a bit of a romantic gal XD
Raja: Haha lol, I am a romantic as well ;) Okay, so you sing now? :O is there anything you can't do?

I was jumping all around my bed: Raja was fanboying me. And I was totally crushing on him.

---
It's way too soon
I know this isn't love
But I really have to tell you
I really really really really really really like you
Do you want me, do you want me to?
Oh, I'm so in my head...