"Ever notice when a lady finally gives a guy the attention he's been craving he suddenly backs off?" Rene inquired, her brown eyes wide, and her head tilted slightly to the side.
Cyril, who had been facing away, turned around, his lips parting slightly as he licked them before offering a casual, almost nonchalant smile.
"What makes you say that?"
He asked, genuinely curious.
She shrugged, subtly shifting closer and reaching up to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her right ear.
"I don't know. Haven't you observed it? So…it's like they give you attention and then when you reciprocate, they stop.
Or sometimes they make you all chatty and then begin to reply to you with straight answers, like you're forcing them to chat.
Perhaps you haven't noticed because, well, you're a guy?" She retorted, a playful edge to her voice.
He chuckled, a low, rumbling sound. "Classic guy-bashing, I see."
"No! That's not it. I'm just saying...it's often the guys who do that, or so I think.
Maybe you just haven't paid attention," She quickly corrected herself, realizing she might have sounded a bit harsh.
However, his response was unexpected as he started laughing, which only served to confuse her even further. She pursed her lips, a frown forming as his laughter subsided.
"Relax.
I'm just messing with you!" He exclaimed, playfully bumping her shoulder with his fist.
Before she could respond, Cyril's phone buzzed insistently in his pocket, interrupting her.
He pulled it out, the screen illuminating his face as he glanced at the notification with a grin.
He then held the phone out to Rene, who, after a moment's hesitation, shrugged and said,
"Go ahead, answer it!" A wide smile spread across his face as he ran his fingers through her hair, a gesture that felt both familiar and thrilling.
"Hey!" She protested playfully, self-consciously fixing her hair as he laughed and raised the phone to his ear.
"Crystal? How are you?" He asked, his voice softening as he began to walk away from the auditorium, the conversation already underway.
Rene watched him go, a wave of frustration washing over her. "Is he really that blind? Can't he see I'm in love with him?" She wondered aloud, sinking back against the cool ground in a moment of frustration.
......….......
As the dream dissolved, the ache of his rejection, a physical burden, lay on her chest. Rene's frown deepened as she mumbled, still lost in the remnants of sleep, "Why couldn't he just love me?…" But, the question was abruptly cut short.
"Wake up Renata! Rene, wake up!"
A jarring voice ripped through the haze, as she jolted awake, her feet immediately kicking out in a frustrated tangle of sheets.
"Oh God… oh God, Michelle,
Why are you always the weapon fashioned against me?
What do you want this time?" Rene mumbled, her eyes barely open as she snuggled deeper into her pillow.
Michelle chuckled, "Your mother needs you to get the cake groceries. Up up now!" She teased.
"Wait, why do I have to go when you're here?" Rene protested, but Michelle's face fell.
"Who said I'm staying? I have lots of things to do at school!" "Don't you dare!" Rene shouted, but Michelle was already laughing, playfully sticking her tongue out.
"I already have. Get up, big sis! Mom's waiting!"
Michelle teased, narrowly dodging Rene's pillow toss.
Just then, their mother called Rene's name from downstairs, and Rene dramatically threw a little tantrum on her bed, much to Michelle's amusement.
"I don't think you'd be happy with what would happen if that woman came up here.
And stop dreaming about that kindergarten boyfriend of yours!" "Get out!" Rene snapped, her face… a mask of annoyance.
"Alright, alright, I'm going, but you need to know..." "I said get out!" She yelled, launching another pillow that smacked the door just as Michelle bolted out and slammed it shut.
"God I asked to be an only child, why didn't you listen to me?" She grumbled, running her fingers through her hair as she sat up.
Then, she heard her mother calling for the third time and yelled back, muttering under her breath as she finally got out of bed.
She picked up the pillows, tidied her bed, and then slipped on her robe and slippers, heading to the bathroom.
"Girl! Hurry up! I need groceries, and I have an order in less than two hours," Eunice, Rene's mother chuckled as she walked down the stairs reluctantly.
"I don't get it, Mom, why do you always believe Mimi? You know she has absolutely nothing to do in school, right? She only says that to skip doing chores in this house."
Rene retorted angrily, grabbing the list from her mother.
Without a word, Eunice went to the couch, got her purse, and took out some money before returning to Rene.
"At least your sister has somewhere to be!" She said, handing over the money.
Those words stung, and Rene's face fell.
"It's not fair, Mom.
You know very well how hard things have been for me. I've told you, I'm between jobs at the moment,, still looking for the right one."
"Yeah, right!
After quitting the one that helped pay part of the bills because of something that could have been resolved amicably.
You know what, don't add to my stress this morning.
Just get the groceries, and please, don't take too long.
Bring back my change also. There are bills to pay, and I can't afford to tip you."
Eunice replied furiously, whisking the flour mix. Rolling her eyes, Rene scoffed and turned towards the door, "You're unbelievable.
Sometimes I wonder if you're even my mother." She retorted, grabbed her black leather jacket off the rack next to her, and stormed out, slamming the door.
Eunice then rolled her eyes. "Living rent-free in my house and yet questioning who your mother is? Absolute rubbish!" She yelled, grabbing and cracking an egg into the flour mix.
Rene whistled, trying to hail a few cabs, but unfortunately, all were occupied.
She crossed her arms, sighed, and exclaimed, "Great, guess I'm walking!" As she started to walk, a loud honk made her turn to see a white Range Rover behind her.
She squinted, staring at the car in silence. After a moment, the driver gestured for her to come back, which annoyed her, so she turned away.
However, another honk and the sound of the car door opening stopped her in her tracks. "Hi, I'm Henry. What's your name?" He yelled for her attention.
She stood for a few seconds before turning...
As she turned, a grin spread across her face.
His looks weren't exactly impressive, so she seemed unfazed by his actions. "Um, where are you headed? I can give you a ride,"
He offered, clearly nervous.
She laughed and nodded. "How many girls have you charmed with this car?" She asked, but he shook his head. "I swear, I don't usually pick up strangers..."
"And yet, here we are," She interrupted, and he swallowed hard. "Right... this is different, I promise!" He said trying to impress Rene, but instead she burst into laughter.
"Would this end if I gave you my number?" She asked directly, and a smile lit up his face. He nodded enthusiastically and reached into his car for his phone. Just as he was about to approach, she yelled, "0113 244 1234.
The name's Renata, Rene, or Renny, if you prefer." He smiled and nodded, happily saving her contact. "Where are you going?" He asked. "I'm not doing anything, I could give you a..."
"Don't push it!" She cut him off, and he pressed his lips together, nodding.
"Try to get a cab, it's way too cold today." "I know!" She interrupted again, leaving him clearly confused and speechless.
"Okay, see ya!" She said, but as she turned, she heard another honk and thankfully, it was a cab.
She quickly whistled for the driver's attention and ran towards the car.
"Tesco Express, sir?" She politely asked, and the driver nodded.
"Sure, hop in!" He replied with a smile, so she did, without a second glance at Henry.
After the cab drove off, he cleared his throat, straightened his shirt, hopped into his car, and drove away, feeling a mix of excitement and embarrassment.