Chapter Four:
Garrison woke tot e telephone ringing and then to the sound of his aunt’s raspy voice saying, “Good morning, Garrison residence. Oh, really? Well, I had him leave because he wasn’t feeling too good. I know. He had to walk. I’m certain he just forgot. I meant to tell the office. Yes. Yes. I understand. I’ll send him a note. Yes. Sorry. Oh, he left his bag? He’ll get it when he arrives. I’m sorry. Yes. Yes. Thank you. Take care now. Yes. Bye…Aisha Garrison! Get in here this instance!”
Garrison bolted out of bed and ran to the living room where his aunt stood in a displeased stance, on hand on her hip and one on the oak side table next to the olive green sectional couch. Her eyes, beady and dark, held a menacing gleam. Hr face was crinkled in a crude way.
“You ditched, didn’t you?” She asked in irritation, her old frail voice cracking at the end.
“Yes.” Garrison was sure that he could not lie his way out of this one.
“You’re lucky that I know how you usually are.” She scolded. “What on earth could have been so important that you ditched school for it? You’re just starting into the year too. It’s only the fourth week and a Monday, for that matter! You know I understand the later part of the year, but the early part?”
“A…a new kid had season passes tot eh amusement park just south of here.” Garrison tried to explain. He’s kind of whacked and he suddenly decided he was going to take me to there. He came just yesterday. I’ve never met him before. He was just in my seat in Algebra two class and we kind of argued before he kidnapped me and took me to the park. We had a lot of fun eventually, but it wasn’t like I had too much of a choice. He drives like a lunatic!”
“And I’m supposed to believe this?” Garrison’s aunt looked overly skeptical. “A new kid abducted you to go to an amusement park? Aisha, at least, lie about something reasonable!”
“I’m not lying!” Garrison protested. Seriously! His name is Kiko Hiroshuu. He’s moved from Japan with his dad and step-mom, Chelsea-san, about three years ago and he’s got a seven year old sister named Nara-chan. He just transferred into school yesterday and he’s completely out of control! I swear!”
A knock sounded upon the door in a strange rhythm. Who could possibly be up this early? Garrison rolled his eyes before striding to the door, unlocking it, and swinging it open.
Kiko stood there, his outfit loose, black, and rather attractive on him. “Hey, Aisha-kun. Wanna ride? You might wannna change first though.” Kiko’s face was bright with a humored smile.
Garrison wanted to yell at him for some reason, probably because his aunt was angry at him for skipping and did not believe him even though he was telling the truth, but that ever-so content smile on Kiko’s face dwindled his anger immediately. “Yeah, you’re right. Going in my ‘jams could be a little embarrassing.”
“Why sleep in pajamas anyway?” Kiko asked with a raised-brow expression. “JUst go in your boxers? Or do you wear whitie-tighties?”
“We don’t’ need to discuss that!” Garrison found himself blushing crimson as he stepped aside. “Here, why don’t you come in and meet my aunt, Kiko-kun.”
“Okay!” Kiko jumped right on in as if he had been in their house everyday of his life. He took one quick glance around and then focused immediately upon Garrison’s aunt, whom he struck his hand out too. “Hi! I’m Kiko Hiroshuu. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Garrison-san.”
“Oh. A pleasure.” The aunt snuck a quizzical glance at Garrison as she took Kiko’s hand. “And it’s just Garrison.”
“Oh, that’s just a Japanese thing.” Kiko laughed. “I guess, Aisha-kun caught on quicker than he thought he would!”
“Kun?” The aunt looked a little perplexed.
“Want breakfast?” Garrison asked quickly as he headed for the kitchen. “We’ve got time to kill. You’re here early.”
“I wanted to stop someplace.” Kiko replied. “I didn’t think a person like you would still be in there pajamas at this late hour.”
“I forgot to set my alarm” Garrison mumbled as he grabbed a yogurt. “Okay. I’ll get dressed then and we’ll go.”
“Take all the time you need.” Kiko hollered as Garrison disappeared into his room.
It did not take long for Garrison to dress in his usual dark attire and then he was jogging back into the living room. Kiko and his aunt ere getting along much better than he would have thought. Kiko stood upon his entrance.
“We better roll or we’re gonna be in some serious trouble for being late.” Kiko stated, moving towards the door.
“Like ditching yesterday won’t outshine being late.” Garrison muttered as his aunt handed him a note.
“Oi…just don’t put lemon juice in the paper cut.” Kiko snorted.
“Take care.” Garrison’s aunt smiled. “Sorry, I didn’t believe you, Aisha.”
“It’s okay.” Garrisons sighed. “Now that I think about it, it’s a pretty wild story.”
“Nice meeting you, Garrison-san!” Kiko called back.
“You too!” She laughed. “What an interesting boy. Be good, Aisha.”
“I will.” Garrison kissed her quickly on the cheek and then darted after Kiko.
In the car, Kiko waited until Garrison was strapped in before pulling from the curb.
“Where are we going?” Garrison asked, glancing at Kiko. A strange happy aura seemed to surround him
“We’re going to hit Starbuck’s, if that’s okay.” Kiko answered, turning on the music and making sure it was low Garrison was surprised to here classical Beethoven.
“Uh, yeah.” Garrison stared at Kiko in wonder. “You listen to Beethoven?”
“I’m surprised you even recognize it as Beethoven-sensei!” Kiko chuckled. Yeah. It’s very soothing to me.”
“My aunt torments me with it.” Garrison admitted with a snort. “But I’m okay with it. This is Moonlight Sonata.”
“Yup.” Kiko grinned happily. “I love this song! It is the most gorgeous song to me.”
“It is kind of pretty.” Garrison agreed. “Did you find a place for that teddy?”
“My bed.” Kiko belly-laughed. “My sis is afraid of teddy bears and I don’t really know why. It’s sleeping with me.”
“You don’t have to keep it if you don’t want to.” Garrison put in.
“I want to.” Kiko turned into a Starbuck’s drive through. “You want anything?” He asked as he rolled down the window.
“Hi, welcome to Starbuck’s. It will be a moment.” A female voice greeted them.
“Okay.” Kiko piped and then looked directly at Garrison.
“I…uh…” garrison suddenly had a weird feeling. He was a Starbuck’s getting “foo-foo” coffee with another guy, having just gone on a technical “date” with the same guy the previous day. He was feeling very unmanly all of a sudden and he really did not like it. Still…” Only I you’ll let me pay you back.”
“Sure.” Kiko shrugged.
“Order for me.” Garrison blushed. “I’ve never gotten anything from here before.”
“Really?” Kiko restrained a laugh and limited it to an amused smile. “Okay.”
“Hi, sorry for the wait.” The woman returned.
“No problem-o!” Kiko reassured.
“What can I start you with today?”
“How about tow venti caramel frapps with extra whip cream and a lot of caramel.” Kiko asked. “And, do you have any of those one brownies left?”
“Of course, Kiko.” The woman informed. “Fresh out of the oven.”
“Oh, good.” Kiko seemed overly pleased with himself. “I’ll take two of those and throw in a vitamin water, darling, and I’ll kiss you at the window.”
“Don’t’ kid like that!” The woman giggled ecstatically. “Especially with your boyfriend in the car!”
“I’m not his…” Garrison quickly tried to defend himself, even in his shocked state, but Kiko held a hand to Garrison’s mouth without even turning from the window.
“Don’t be vulgar, bunny.” Kiko rolled his eyes. “Saying it like that makes it sound so wrong.”
“Oh, I mean friend!” The woman squealed. “I meant friend! Here, you wanted two venti caramel frapps with extra whip cream and a lot of caramel, two brownies, and a vitamin water, am I right?”
“So far right you’re on the left side.” Kiko joked.
“I’ll have your total for you at the window.”
“Thanks.”
He veered around the corner quickly and pulled up to the window.
“What was that all about?” Garrison snapped.
“That statement could be taken many ways, Aisha-kun.” Kiko remarked with a smirk. “Better clarify it.”
“What was with her saying I was your boyfriend?” Garrison wanted to get out of the car and run away.
“Where she comes from,” Kiko explained. “Saying that is just like saying friend like how some girls will call their friends their “girlfriends,” which doesn’t technically meant hat they’re really going on dates and things. Just casual everyday girly outings and stuff. Friends. That’s how she meant it. Really.”
Garrison was not sure, but he knew the whole occurrence had made his heart go into a panic attack. He did not know exactly how to take all of this.
Kiko made some exchanges with the woman at the window and then finally drove away after she had said a million apologies for making it sound like Garrison and Kiko were “together.”
There was silence between them all the way to school.