Chapter 5: Nudges

Kristy’s Pov:

“How can one boy be so cute and smart yet, unbelievably dense at the same time!?” I ponder to myself as we ride in silence. Sebastian currently has his earbuds in and listening to his music. I’m not dumb, I’ve noticed that Sebastian puts his earbuds in and spaces out when he doesn’t want to deal with awkward situations. We met in a park when we were both 9. He had just moved here and hadn’t made any friends yet. I found him playing by himself in a sandbox with an action figure and a toy truck. “It’s no use! We have you surrounded, come out of the vehicle with your hands up!” Sebastian shouts in an authoritative voice. Well, with as much authority a 9-year-old can muster. He has the action figure blocking the trucks path, mimicking aggressive movements with it. “Hello.” I interrupt the drama that’s playing out in the sandbox. “Huh?” Sebastian says as he whips his head up from the action. “Oh, hi! My name’s Sebastian. My mother, father and me just moved here, you can be my first friend!” He says triumphantly as he stands up and gives me a big smile. “Oh-Okay! Then I’ll be in your care!” I say back as I return his smile and sit down in the sandbox with him. He turns back to the scene playing out and continues. “My name is Kristy; I live around the corner with my mother and father. I was born here.” I say before he can get too engrossed in his play again. “Oh cool, you don’t live too far from me then. Want to be Sgt. Youngblood and you can try to stop me?” He says as he pushes the action figure in my hand. “Okay, sure! HEY, THE GUY DRIVING THE BEATER! GET OUT NOW WITH YOUR HANDS UP, SCUMBAG!” I shout as sternly as I can. I look over at Sebastian after my outburst and he’s gawking at me. We ended up on the same bus and the same class after that day. We’ve been best friends ever since but over the summer I realized that my feelings were more.

I come out of my revelry as the bus pulls to a stop. Sebastian gets up and offers me a warm smile before getting off. I follow him mutely as we walk towards the school, lost in thought. “Hey guys!” Tommy shouts as he makes his way through the groups of students in front of the school. “Shhh, Tommy.” Sebastian winces as he says this. I didn’t notice earlier but Sebastian has bags under his eyes. “Jeeze Sebastian, you look like crap.” Tommy says shamelessly. “Don’t hold back now buddy. Tell the truth now.” Sebastian snaps back. Tommy realizes that he was rude and says, “Heh, my bad. You just look like you had a rough night.” The bell rings and Sebastian lets it go as we all walk inside. We all arrive in our class, and I see Sebastian rest his head on his arms after hanging his backpack off the back of his chair. I look back forward and catch Victoria walking through the door. I watch her and try to decide if that’s the kind of girl Sebastian would want. Victoria arrives at her desk and places her bag down and then looks back at Sebastian’s desk. She stares at the top of his head for a few moments and then sits down. Ms. Ferry walks to the podium and glances around the room before settling on Sebastian’s desk. “Mr. Cady, please leave sleeping for the home and not my classroom.” “Yes ma’am.” Sebastian says as he sits back up. “Now class, today your instructors will continue….” Ms. Ferry continues on as I pull out my notebook and pen.

The morning classes continue on in a haze as I try not to focus on Sebastian and our date on Saturday. I purposedly worded it that way to drop a hint about my feelings. I was trying to distance myself in his mind from being only a friend. The bell for lunch rings and we all make our way to the cafeteria. Sebastian passed on the idea of eating outside again after I brought it up. Tommy and I take our lunches from home over to a table in the corner as Sebastian goes up and grabs food. He comes back with a tray and sits down. Sebastian looks down at his tray before looking at both of us and says, “Sorry for being grouchy guys, just slept rough last night.” He then smiles and starts eating. My feelings settle down and like a dam breaking, we launch into conversation that lasts the rest of lunch. Marie showed up midway but fortunately for Sebastian, she behaved herself. Sebastian seemed to have perked up after lunch and the rest of the day seems more normal despite a certain platinum haired trollop glancing back at Sebastian every now and again.

The last period ends with the instructor reminding us of what chapters we needed to review and then Tommy parts ways with Sebastian and I as we head to the bus stop. Sebastian pulls out his phone and starts texting. He sees my questioning look out of the corner of his eye and says, “Finally texting Victoria about our study session. She’s been really patient, and I just don’t want her to think I was blowing her off.” I respond with a nod and don’t reply back. “Look, I don’t know what you're thinking but I’m really just trying to help her catch up. It’s only studying.” He mock punches me on the chin and continues. “Besides, you’re the only girl for me.” He ends this statement with a smile and to my horror, I blush. Luckily, he doesn’t notice as he has turned back to texting Victoria. The bus ride is going nicely even though I’m trying to recover from Sebastian’s unexpected flirting. We arrive at our stop and exit the bus. I’m about to walk off but then decide to try to get him back for flirting. “I’m really looking forward to our DATE on Saturday!” I say. He stares at me for a moment before saying; “Yeah, Saturday, date. Got it.” I respond with a bright smile and walk-skip off towards home.

Sebastian’s Pov:

I watch Kristy walk off and then with a shake of my head I walk towards my apartment. “Ok, there’s no mistake now. I definitely heard her say date.” I mutter to myself. I always thought that Kristy might have liked me “that way” but I was too scared because I was afraid that I was wrong and didn’t want to lose her. She definitely said “date” though. “Okay,” I think to myself. “We’ll just see where this goes on Saturday.” I had finally texted Victoria and we’d agreed on 6 pm on Saturday. That would give me the afternoon to talk with Kristy. I’ll hang out with my mom on Sunday and then I should be good for my commitments. I walk through the door of my apartment and take care of my shoes and coat. The house is dark as usual, and I assume my mother isn’t home from work. I don’t have Uncle Rory’s tonight so I’m going to knock some studying and then grab a few hours on my game. Tommy will probably be shocked to catch me on during the week. I walk towards the kitchen with my backpack hanging on one shoulder and see a figure sitting in my mother’s usual seat. I flip on the light as fast as I can, and I see Mr. Mister sitting at the table with one leg resting on the opposite knee. His hands are folded in his lap and he’s wearing black sunglasses. He stares at me without speaking and it’s a little unnerving not seeing his eyes. We continue to stare at each other for a few more moments before he finally motions towards my chair.

“Can I get you anything? Coffee, can of soda, turn down the lights?” I internally wince after I say this. Shut up, Sebastian! I say to myself. “Turn down the lights?” he asks with a raised eyebrow. I can’t stop myself from adjusting an imaginary pair of sunglasses. Luckily, he only chuckles and I’m thankful he doesn’t rise to the bait. He clears his throat and asks; “Have you reviewed the file yet?” “No. In fact I’m not a so-called “account manager.” I emphasize account manager with air quotes. “I’m only 16, and I’m just going to nope right on out of this situation.” I finish this statement by retrieving the envelope from my backpack and toss it to Mr. Mister. It lands on his lap, but he just looks at me as the envelope slides off his lap and onto the floor. The sound of the envelope hitting the floor seems to be the period to the end of his silent reply.

“Our company does not make mistakes Mr. Cady. Now, be a good boy and retrieve the envelope.” He says while leaning forward and lowering his sunglasses down enough to look over them. My anger spikes at the demeaning tone Mr. Mister just leveled on me. “Now look here, you sonofa- “he interrupts my outburst. “A beautiful woman, your mother.” He smiles as he places a picture frame from my mom’s bedroom on the kitchen table. My father and mother both smile back from a picture of after they first got married. “I’ve been told that I am aloud to “nudge” you from time to time if you lacked the motivation to manage this account. Now, use your imagination.” He says with a shark-smile while interlacing his fingers and leaning towards the picture. I stare back him with venom, and he chuckles and says, “See, now that’s motivation! Use that motivation to save your poor, overworked, mother…. From me.” He says the last two words with a growl. He reaches into his coat and brings out another manilla envelope and places it by the picture frame. It’s much bulkier than the original lying on the floor and there’s a thud when it lands on the table.” Here’s a little something to assist you in saving your mother. I’m giving you a hard deadline for this account.” He gets up and starts walking towards the door. “Two weeks from today. That’s 14 days from now Mr. Cady, 14 days.” “Yeah, I can count you indoor-sunglass-wearing-douche. One, two, three, four…. That’s four long strides to my front door and out!” I say angrily as I follow him. He opens the door and as he walks off, I hear him laugh and say, “He’s nudged.”

I storm back into the kitchen and grab both manilla envelopes and take them to my room. I walk over to my bookshelf and place them behind some large books. I am not in the mood for the envelopes, so I decided to deal with them later after I talked to Uncle Rory again. I return back to the kitchen table and try to study. My eyes keep drifting down the hallway towards my mother’s room. I’ve always made a point to avoid her room after my father disappeared. My mother has hung onto his clothes and belongings. The woman has never given up on him but I’m starting to lose faith sadly. My eyes then come to the picture frame and realize that I need to put it back. I grab the picture frame off the table with a sigh and walk towards my mother’s door. I stop at her door and lean my forehead on it for a few moments. I push her door open and walk over to her dresser and place it as close to the original position as I can remember. As I turn to leave, I notice my mother’s closet door open. I walk over to close it and I see an old file box open with pictures on top of some other items. I stare at the box for a moment before grabbing it and walking out to the living room. I place the box on the coffee table and look at the time. It’s only a quarter to six so I should have some time to look through the box before mom gets home.

I stare at the box, trying to work up the courage to commit to this. After a long moment, I get up and start grabbing items out of the old file box. Different pictures of my dad litter the top. Everything from group photos of guys dressed up in tactical gear, my dad when he appears to be younger with his arm over the shoulder of a girl, old photos of mom, and baby pics of me are in this pile. I take a moment and thumb through a few of the pictures before placing them on the coffee table. Next, I find a belt, then a tie. I place those on top of the photos. Then I reach down into the box and pull up an old shaving kit bag. Not wanting to waste time, I look down at the bottom and find a watch. I stare at it in shock. It’s an Omega De Ville Tourbillon watch. I’m in shock. Tommy’s dad collects watches, and the man can go for hours (no pun intended) about watches. These bad boys will easily run you 35 to 40k. I shove the watch in my pocket because one; it belonged to my dad and two, because it’s a freakin’ Omega! I hastily grab everything else and place it back into the box like I found them. I grab the box and run it back into my mom’s closet. I go back to the kitchen table and start studying while fingering the watch in my pocket. Around 7 pm my mom comes through the front door while flopping her pumps off. I can’t help but smile at her. She returns my smile and asks if Chinese sounds good.

We are sitting at the table eating and my mother notices that I keep glancing at her. She takes a green pea pod, smiles, and says, “What, do I have something in my teeth?” I chuckle at her old joke and respond, “Nothing, just appreciate everything you do for me.” I’m actually replaying Mr. Mister’s threat in my head. “Aww, my baby appreciates me!” my mother says after she reaches across the table and tries to rub my head while giggling. “Mom!” I yell. She laughs and returns back to eating. “While I appreciate your gratitude, what’s bringing this on?” She asks. “Eh, I’ve been thinking a lot about dad lately. After he left, you’ve picked up the slack and made sure I have everything I need.” A ghost of a frown passes my mom’s face before she smiles again. “Well, thank you. It wasn’t your father’s fault, I’m sure. That man loved us, I’m positive he didn’t abandon us. I’ll answer anything that I know the answer to if you have questions.” She says while looking at me. “I know. I don’t blame him.” I say then I tap my finger on my chin and look at her thoughtfully. “I have one question though.” I pull out the watch. “Can I wear dad’s watch?”

After her initial shock and scolding me for going through her closet, my mother agreed to let me wear the watch if I promise to be careful. We finish with dinner, and I clean up the mess and dishes so she can go take a hot shower. I take out the trash and then go to my room. I turn on my system and put my headphones and mic on. They have pink cat ears on them. Kristy bought them for me. I wear them with pride. Enough said. I log in and see Tommy in a lobby on my friend’s list and so I join his. I move the mic into position and say, “Heya, Tommygunn69! Let’s waste some noobs!”