She bangs the door when she leaves (3)

"Ah, someone's calling me, please excuse me! It was nice seeing you, Mr. and Mrs. Ricci. I hope to see you soon!" I lie on the spot to escape from an even more horrible situation.

And, that is how my cheap mouth struck again.

Next day, I run away and return to the country to pretend nothing happened in that afterparty. But, unlike Heidi who completely cut off her contact with me, her parents seemed to have kept in contact with my parents. I blink, close the app, reboot my phone, open the messaging app again and pressed on my mom's chat.

Nope, it's still there… What the hell…

Mom (10:38AM): [Dianne sent me a pack of clothes for you and Heidi. Reggie told me you're seeing her, so come pick it up and give it to her.]

Reggie, you backstabbing and gossiping… bugger! What has he told mom?!

Me (10:53AM): [I'm not seeing her!]

At least, not in the way she is implying. No matter how much I wish for that.

Mom (11:47AM): [Either you come, or I tell Franz Heidi saw you naked.]

Franz is Heidi's father. The man who can freeze even a Tundra with only his glare. This wily woman! She does not love me anymore! She has disowned me! How can she threaten me with my father-in-law?!

And, seriously, what has Reggie told mom?!

To make things worse, mom's next message flings me to the deepest and most dreadful abyss.

Mom (11:51AM): [By the way, they are coming in a week. I told Dianne to meet up, the whole family, like old times and she accepted!]

Heidi's parents are coming… I am probably not going to attend such magnificent event because Heidi will kill me the moment I tell her about it.

So, with trembling hands, I write what could possibly become my last text message.

Me (12:39PM): [Can you come to my place at night, after rehearse? I have something for you]

Heidi <3 (12:42PM) [Sure! Cya at night!]

Ah, the bliss of ignorance she radiates through her short and enthusiastic reply. Good thing my will was updated last year. Even if my mom is the harbinger of grim news and leads me to an early grave, she will still enjoy the result of my hard work as thanks for supporting me through my young dark years.

The clock tics away way too fast for my liking. My stomach sometimes knots up from the thought of what will soon transpire in my house.

Finally, there is knock on the door.

I dreamed for my reunion with Heidi after days of texting like some infatuated teens to be with a flowery background, all happiness and clumsy gestures, sparkling glances and tad-too-bright smiles. In the solitude of my house, we would softly confess to each other and shyly share our first kiss. Then, we would start our romance like in those comics my sister likes to read.

All I get is the horror theme, with the lightning background. Sitting her on my comfiest sofa, giving her a glass of my most expensive wine, and solicitously presenting her the washed and ironed set of clothes she left in my house was not enough to escape from her rage.

"So, um, I just returned from a fashion event and met your parents there… and they, uh, theynowknowthetruthofyoubeingatheatheractressandtheydiscovereditfrommeandi'msorry,Heidi,nowtheyarecomingandmostlikelywilltalktoyoubutheytheysentusclothes!"

My rushed confession just earns me an incredulous stare and a curse.

"Are you fucking real?"

I wince – there goes my chance to confuse her – and nod. Then, the trumpets of the apocalypse sound, announcing the descent of the hellish horses mounted by infernal men brandishing huge weapons, followed by fiendish hounds, ready to rain upon unsuspecting mortals the days of judgement where only ghastly wails will reverberate in the desolate world.

In other words, Heidi explodes.

It is a good thing my house is located in a very private residential, and nobody cares much of what happens in other people's houses. Plus, it has insulation that prevents loud music – and loud cursing coming from Heidi – from spilling out. If I holler for help when Heidi tries to kill me, no one will come to my aid though…

After some time, that feel like hours, she calms down, slumps on the sofa and heavily sighs while glaring at the box of clothes meant for her that my mom prepared when I went to pick it up.

"They even sent me another pack of clothes. If they know I give those away, they will hang me." She wryly comments. I sit as stiffly as possible. If I don't move, the T-Rex won't see me. I'm safe pretending to be dead.

My logic and impulsiveness have the hideous habit of warring inside my mind more often that I would like. It is aggravating to admit that the worst contender always wins in the worst situations ever.

"Maybe you should keep this box."

Heidi inherited very little from her parents, looking more like her grandma from her mother's side, but there were some hints from each of her parents there. Like, the way her mouth pouted when she is thinking, thing Mrs. Ricci also does. And, from Mr. Ricci, she unfortunately inherited his glacial glare.

That glare immediately makes me change my tune.

"I'm really sorry! I deeply apologize! It's all my fault! Really it is! I-I… It's normal for you to get angry at me. I understand it. I would be angry, too. I just, I just..." I just wanted to help you, but instead made things worse. Please don't hate me. I cannot say that because she might really hate me. And that is the least I want.

"You messed up everything, Greco!" She hisses. Ah, there it is. Whenever she uses my surname, it means she's truly mad, and that she won't forgive me any time soon. "You know what it means if they come?" I shake my head. "There's a possibility that they will take me with them."

Take her away… Like last time?...

She will leave again? Just when I decided to make her mine, this time for real? You have armed a good one, Aldo. If she leaves, then all the effort you've put these last few days would've been in vain. Shame on you! Shame on your cheap mouth!

"Heidi," I say while taking her hand – thankfully, she still lets me touch her! She just looks back at me with the same cold eyes that could freeze magma. "Let me mend this. I'll help you out."

"What can you do? You've nothing to do with this." Ugh, low hit. Not good.

"I created this mess, so I'll do my best to fix it. I promise! On the great Aldo Greco's honor!" I say with a self-sufficient smile, though deep down I have no idea what to do.

She just nods and pulls her hand from my grip. After grabbing the box with the clothes, she strides out of the house. She bangs the door when she leaves. I let out a deep sigh and melt down onto the floor.

I'm screwed.