Burdened (A Burdened Novel) by Peiri Ann

him.
    “It’s nice out here. I would love for this to be my backyard.” I crack open my tea. “I’d probably sleep ou t here every night in the summer.”
    “Yeah, it is. I do sleep out here when it’s warm sometimes. My dad and I used to set up tents and pretend to camp out here—before he passed.” He doesn’t look sad at his words, just like he is recalling those moments.
    “Yeah, that had to be awesome.” I don’t want to feel sorry for him, because I hate it when people say ‘I’m sorry for your loss.’
    “It was.” He gets up, walking over to the fridge and grabs himself a Coke. “I know you probably want to get back to the party, but if you can wait ‘til we’re finished with our drinks, I would appreciate it. I don’t want people asking ‘where did you get that?’” He shakes his head. “They have eaten me out of house and home. I’m going to have to go to the store to buy more food, so my mom won’t suspect anything.”
    “I don’t have a problem with waiting. I lost my party mood anyway. Where’s your mom?”
    “She had some business trip to go on. So I took advantage of the opportunity. She’ll be back in a couple of days. Who was that guy that punched that idiot for you?”
    I shrug. “Scott’s cousin.”
    He shrugs his shoulder, like I did. “Scott’s cousin,” he mocks me. “Umm, yeah, I got that. But who is he to you?”
    “You know, Andrew, I don’t even know. I met him the other day. He’s just a friend.” I scrunch my eyebrows, looking at him confused. “Well, I don’t even know if I would call him a friend.”
    He smiles at me. “I don’t know too many non-friends who would knock a guy out for someone.”
    “Yeah, I know, right?” I look up at the sky, staring at the stars circling the moon. They remind me of swirling eyes.
    “You know,” he starts, as he sits back down on the bar stool. “I heard my mom say once, ‘your mind can’t resist what your heart wants.’”
    I look at him intently. How could he know? “Why do you say that?”
    “Because of the look on your face now, and the look on your face when he walked away.” He gulps his coke. “I’ve only seen it twice before.” He leans back on his arms, holding his weight on the bar. “It was on my mom when my dad was going to leave a long time ago, but he didn’t, then again when he passed. But the difference was, he wasn’t coming back. My mom and dad were real love. When he walked away from her the first time, the same look that was on her face was on yours while you watched him walk away from you—admiration, and hurt from rejection.” He breathes. “If you know it could be love, or that you feel a certain way and it will not fade over a matter of time—months, years, or even decades—go after it, chase it, until you can’t any longer.” He looks me in my eyes. “You may be young, but love has no age restrictions. It’s not an easy thing to come by. And by the looks of it, he shares those same looks.” He takes another drink. “I don’t see why you all are not entertaining the interest.”
    I butt in. “Me neither.” I drink from my tea, my chest starting to hurt again. “I guess I—”
    The sliding door opens, cutting me off.
    “Hey, nobody can come out here. Party is only inside right now,” Andrew says, turning around to see who it is.
    “Sorry, man. I just came out here to talk to Tracey. I saw you walk out here with her.” There he is again, just popping up at the most awkward moments.
    Andrew looks at me. “What do you say? Your call.”
    I look at him before I answer Andrew. I chuckle to myself. “Yeah, that’s fine,” as if I could say no.
    “Alright, I’m going back inside to make sure nothing is broken. Let me know before you go,” Andrew says, getting down from the barstool.
    “Okay. Thanks,” I shake my bottle, “for the tea.” Although, I mean for more than that.
    “No problem, Cey.” He walks past him , through the open sliding door, and