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Chapter eleven: It’s a Double Date
“Yea, but then he only kissed me on the cheek so it’s nothing big.” I frowned at the reminiscent, tapping my fingers away on the school cafeteria table. “But boy, did he play me well. I’d thought he would really kiss me on the mouth; I mean, it did feel like those romantic cliché moments. And he wasn’t even smirking his ass off like he usually does…he really got me there…” I added with a hint of bitterness.
There was a moment of silence before I realised how pungent I must have sounded, “—not like I care the least anyway.” I quickly murmured, hoping to correct my lapse.
“Of course you don’t,” Andrea announced in the most sarcastic voice she could muster. “That’s why you called us up first thing in the morning to discuss about it. But really, it’s no big deal.”
“Shut up An,” I whacked her playfully on the arm. “I still haven’t forgotten the fact that you two ditched me yesterday; so watch out.” I gave them a little glare at their mock angelic faces.
“But it was all for the best, wasn’t it?” Rosa grinned mischievously, stirring her hot chocolate with the straw. “…And talking about Nick,” she added, cutting off the retort I was going to throw. “I think he probably was going to kiss you—as in the full-on-the-mouth sort of kiss.”
“—Yea, in a world where pigs fly and my dad’s engaged to Anna.” I rolled my eyes. “Sorry, bad example.” I added to their shocked expressions.
Crossing my arms, I continued my rants in sullenness. “I completely disagree with what you just said. I mean, Nick’s gestures just screamed ‘I-played-Veronica-la-la-la’ right after we had that—had that rather intimidating moment, where he took advantage of me when I sort of lost myself. He didn’t even look at me straight in the eye for Pete’s sake. No, he was just standing there, dwelling in the furthest corner of the room, not bearing the slightest look of regret.”
“Calm down now, buddy.” Andrea put a comforting hand around my shoulder. “But seriously Rosa, I second Ron’s opinion. It does sound like Nick was just trying to mess up her feelings.”
“Gosh, you guys are so naive concerning the characteristics of the much inferior species we called guys.” Rosa drawled out with a lazy smile on her face.
“Oh, the great and mighty one, please give us your guidance.”
Rosa chuckled before stretching out her hands. “I say he was as intimidated and aroused by the situation as Ronnie was—”
“I was not aroused!” I glowered at Rosa’s poor choice of words.
“—But after comprehending his position as your bodyguard, Nick realised he was not entitled to have such a close relationship with you.” Rosa continued, ignoring my outburst. “Therefore, he chose the safe way to escape and planted a kiss on your cheek. And so, he remains your bodyguard and nothing more; and you carry on hating him. End of story.”
Andrea held up her hand inquiringly as if in a lecture. “You sounded firm with your theory, but do you have any sources to prove your point?”
“Now that’s the interesting part. Analysing actions of the male species is just my specialty.” Rosa grinned as she drank the rest of her chocolate milk in a gulp. “Alright, reason number one, he removed himself a bit too quickly from the bed—he was clearly resisting the sensual temptation he had when he was in close proximity with you.”
Andrea looked a bit disgusted at this and my brows only lifted higher.
“Secondly,” she continued with an evil glint in her eye. “He didn’t meet your eyes as he didn’t want to see your reaction to his actions. And thirdly, he asked you to leave his room abruptly because his composed demeanour was breaking and he really didn’t trust himself with you in his room. All cleared?”
“No… you made me all confused.” I cried, with my brows knitted and hands on my head. “If I hadn’t known better, I’d think you are suggesting that he has it for me.”
“Maybe I am trying to imply that.” Rosa grinned, tapping her neatly manicured nails on the table.
At this, Andrea gave a half-hearted laugh and quirked an eyebrow at me curiously, “so what’d you say?”
“I say you are both delusional, honey.”
As if on cue, the bell rang, signally the end of the double free period we all shared. Grumbling and chairs scrapping, students flooded out of the cafeteria and headed off to their next lessons. Heaving a deep sigh, I bid my best friends goodbye and rushed off to my locker in haste.
Rosa’s comments had left me in utter puzzlement. If she was right, dose it mean that Nick had a thing for me? But how can that be? No, what’s more shocking is that… I actually don’t feel much distain towards that prospect… its more like…
I bit my lips, racking my brain cells for the right word. It’s more like…
Throwing my rucksack onto the ground and fuddling the combinations of my locker, my brain continued to sail into the sea of reverie. I didn’t even notice when a dark shadow loomed over my form, until seconds later, when I felt an arm weigh upon my shoulders.
Yelping and being cruelly snapped back to reality, I turned and glowered at Dylan, who took his arm off my shoulders and raised an inquiring brow when he regarded my wary countenance.
“Having a bad day?” He asked, scratching the back of his head.
I pulled my locker open and began piling up the books I needed for the next lesson. “Nah… just a bit confused, that’s all.”
“Confused and perplexed about the hidden crush you have for me?”
I shook my head and laughed. “In your dreams, Dylan.”
“Then make my dreams come true.” He smirked and slid his hand around my shoulder again. “You know you can’t resist me.”
“Not that bull again, D, you know I don’t buy that egotistic crap.” I slammed my locker door shut as Dylan gingerly picked up my rucksack and steered me into the crowded corridor, filled with students dashing to their lessons.
“Ronnie, you know, we really have chemistry together.”
“Yea I know,” I let a lazy smile stretched on my face. “It’s next period.”
It was Dylan’s turn to roll his eyes. “Why won’t you just give me one chance?”
“…And get dumped a week afterwards?” I snorted. “No thanks, hun.”
“You know I’d never do that.” He sounded incredulous at my idea.
I only grunted as we rounded a corner to the science department. “Somehow, I doubt it. Your past records are not exactly the cleanest, you know? And being one of your closest friends, I unfortunately know all about your notorious love life. Lucky me.”
Dylan grinned. “Baby, that’s already the past. I’m a lot better now.”
“I thought Jenny only caught you cheating on her last week. But if you call that the past, I really have nothing to say.” I flipped my hair out of my face and shook my head.
We were silent for a long while until we reached the science laboratory. I was about to turn the knob of the door when Dylan suddenly grabbed hold of my wrists. Turning around, I immediately regarded our closeness before quickly backing up against the wall. I didn’t know why, but my stomach crunched tightly together. His azure eyes dug into mine as he raised a hand and brushed a strand of hair out of my face. I unconsciously gulped at the contact and shifted slightly in wariness.
Clutching the doorknob behind my back, I bit my lips. What the hell? What is happening?
“…we are kind of late, you know.” I murmured stupidly, hoping to break the awkwardness drifting in the air.
“Thursday after school, how bout’ it?” he asked haphazardly, evidently ignoring my comment.
“How bout’ what?” I raised a brow, feeling slightly disorientated.
“A date.” His grin stretched as my eyes widened a fraction.
His hand was still lingering on my cheek. I really didn’t know what to say. He isn’t being serious, is he?
I blinked a few times, but the alien incarnated Dylan was still there… looking very much like the Dylan I knew. And he was currently looking at me expectantly. Wait, is he waiting for an answer?
My mouth died, as well as half of my brain.
Oh god, what to say, what to say?
Yes, no, yes, no, yes, no, maybe, lala, kiss me, no, you are so dumb, I don’t like you in that way… and what about Nick?
“What about Nick?” I asked before promptly covering my mouth with a hand. Please tell me I did not just say that aloud. Please, god, don’t play me. My dignity is fragile.
Dylan stared at me weirdly before he furrowed his brows in indignation, “What about him?”
God did not answer my prayers. Maybe that was for skipping church on Sundays.
“I mean… he is my bodyguard and all,” I started, attempting to correct my lapse. “We won’t have much privacy if we do go out together.”
Dylan seemed to believe my bullshit of an excuse, as a sly grin slid back onto his face, “Let him see us then, it’d be even better.”
I quirked up a brow, what does he mean by that?
But there wasn’t much time to delve on that subject as my mind swiftly went blank as he leaned in closer, “So, yes or no?” he asked, grinning as if he already knew the answer.
“I…erm—”
Suddenly, there was a silent creak from behind; and without further notice, the door, that Dylan and I had pressed so tightly onto, gave away.
As if in slow motion, we fell backwards with our arms flinging everywhere—saw a flash of a classroom filled with amused faces—
…And I landed painfully on my butt, with Dylan pressed hard on top of me.
What a beautiful entrance, darling, should totally audition for Cinderella next year.
…Yea, who was I kidding?
“Ow, FUCK!” I heard Dylan swore a chain of colourful profanities near my ear as the world zoned in and out in front of me.
The entire classroom was now ringing with roars of laughter at my dignity and butt’s expanse. There was some cat-calling in a distance and a few whistled and chanted our names. What an immature bunch. I gritted my teeth, as my ire raised a fraction.
“What the hell—Who the fuc—oh hello Mr. Saunders…” I murmured the last part as the furious face of my Chemistry teacher loomed over Dylan’s shoulder. The latter immediately rolled off my form at my comment, combing a hand through his blonde hair and grinning slyly, not even bearing the slightest hint of mortification and regret.
In fact, he looked quite… amused. Unlike me, who just wanted to dig a hole in the ground and never come back up… no, not even for twenty packets of gummi bears.
“I understand if you kids want to satisfy your pubescent needs, but please do so outside my classroom.” Mr. Saunders glared down at us, his face red with fury.
Dylan stood up and leered at him challengingly, a small grin adorning his face. “We were, until you so rudely interrupted us.”
Oh please, St. Pete, just take me, I don’t want to live.
There was a lot of ‘oouuuhs’ and ‘ahhhs’ and gasps from the female population. I could practically see the windmill of rumours turning ever so slightly. And just to top it off, we both got detention that day for being late for class and the displaying of inappropriate behaviours.
Really, I hate Mondays.
“Please don’t remind me,” I groaned and covered my face with my hands.
Kyle chuckled and ruffled my hair. “Cummon’ he’s not too bad, give him a shot.”
“He just embarrassed me in front of the whole class, and you’re telling me to give him a chance?” I rolled my eyes, “Seriously Kyle, be rational.”
“He’s just desperate.” He replied softly.
Er... What?
I was just going to ask him why when Florae’s annoying voice suddenly drifted into the air and I immediately suffocated and died.
…well, my nostrils did anyway.
“Hello Kyle.” Her voice pierced my ears as she attempted to purr in a sexy manner. Ew, gross. My eardrums are damaged forever.
“Hello to you too.” I plastered a grin on my face as I felt Kyle stiffened beside me.
“Robertson,” she turned to me as if she had just noticed my presence. “Clinging to Kyle are we now? Are Nick and Dylan not good enough for you?”
“Why, jealous? Cause you can’t even cling to one of them for a month?” I dared, grinning down at her.
She glared at me in resentment before deciding to ignore my comment and turned to face Kyle instead. Her carefully glossed lips were attempting a pout, which very much resembled two German sausages squashed too tightly together on a piece of burnt toast; which, in another words, would be her face. Not a pretty sight I tell you, I mean, I just had my lunch, give me stomach a break.
“Kyle…” she drawled in what she believed to be a husky tone. “Where were you? I was trying to find you all day.”
“I was… er… here?” He offered sheepishly, scratching the back of his head in anxiousness.
Florae flipped her long blonde hair and turned to her ever-present posses who were all giggling like there was no tomorrow. I swear they were like Lyra and Pantalaimon; they would probably die in agony if she and her posses were separated for too long. But that wasn’t such a bad prospect to tell the truth.
“Isn’t he so adorable?” Florae gushed as her daemons giggled in consent.
Kyle immediately blushed an interesting shade of pink at her remark and I just rolled my eyes.
“So about the homework you promised to teach me… how about today after school?” Florae raised a shoulder flirtatiously, twirling a strand of hair with her manicured fingers. “Maybe you could give me a ride to my house?”
… What?
“Wait a second there,” I said, stepping in between Florae and Kyle… and got a full blast of the looks Florae was currently sending towards the latter. Gross, I swear her playful glances were worst then seeing our dear president perform strip dancing on stage… Okay, never mind, bad analogy.
After my poor innocent eyes recovered from the unsightly scene, I harrumphed and stared down at Florae, who now had the much preferred expression of annoyance and outrage. “Kyle is not going anywhere with you.” I said to her in resolution.
“Exactly.” A familiar voice sounded from behind and we all turned to face our most beloved red head—taken the word to the extreme in Kyle’s case—entering in a majestic fashion. “Please stick your paws in someone else’s business, you’re not welcome here.”
“Sorry, but let me remind you,” Florae leaned back and cocked her head to a side. “You’re the one who’s sticking your snobbish nose into my business, not the other way around. I mean, who are you to stop me from flirting with Kyle, huh?”
An unreadable expression passed through Rosa’s face. Her mouth was slightly ajar, as if ready to throw a retort.
Then, as if my head was suddenly awaken by the shrill of an alarm clock, a brilliant idea flashed through my head.
“Why, Rosa’s his girlfriend of course; they just got together, haven’t you heard?” I grinned slyly as silence spread eerily through the air.
Ha. Ronnie you are a genius. You don’t have to be modest, really.
Rosa and Kyle’s faces were of pure shook, their eyes wide as if caught doing mischievous deeds. Florae had a similar countenance, except one of her brow was arched skeptically. I could practically see her little wheel for a brain turning in contemplation.
Rosa was the first to recover, however, as she caught on to my words and sent me a knowing grin. We had done this a thousand times before, causing drama and making up rumours. Except this time, my intention was not just to annoy Florae; contrary to what Rosa might believe. No, I mentally gave myself a cracker, this time I had a much greater plan in mind.
“Yea, haven’t you hear, Florae.” Rosa sneered and crossed over to Kyle who was now as stiff as a molten rock.
Seductively, she slid her arms around his shoulders from the back and sent the stunned Florae a triumphant glare from behind his shoulders. I muffled a squeal.
“He’s mine.” She announced before nuzzling his neck in affection.
Personally, I had a feeling that Rosa was taking the act a bit too far, but I wasn’t complaining, and I didn’t see Kyle complaining either. In fact, he wasn’t even saying anything. He stayed as still and unanimated as ever, while the rest of Florae’s posses mock screamed and fretted as if the sky was falling.
There was a breezy moment when Florae and Rosa exchanged frozen glowers… before Florae turned away, a malicious grin stretching on her face.
“More the reason why I want him.” She said curtly. “I mean, if he really is your boyfriend, of course.”
So she wasn’t half as stupid as I thought she was. But oh well, at least I scared her clones, right?
“See you after school, Kyle.” She waved before exiting in a fluttering mess. Her horde followed after her, tripping on their heels while narrowing their eyes in what seemed like a threatening manner. Gosh, I’m so scared, where’s my comfort pillow?
After Florae’s ugly presence left the picture, Rose disentangled herself from Kyle and wiped her forehead warily. “My, my, was that close or what.”
Kyle was still silent and I only nodded my head slightly. But Rosa didn’t seem to notice our lack of vibrancy. In fact, I doubt she even saw my nod at all as her eyes widen again in what seemed to be sudden transpiration.
“Oh, shity!” she suddenly squealed. “I still have to finish off my English essay before next period. Well, tutty lu then, my friends!”
She bid us a quick goodbye before rushing to what I presumed as the direction of the Library. I was half surprised for her to even know where it was.
Kyle and I stayed soundless for a while, before he buried his face in his hands in anxiety. “Seriously, Ron. I swear that girl will be the death of me one day. She’s driving me insane.”
“Cummon’ Kyle, cheer up.” I placed my hand on his in a comforting way. “If I can do anything to help… you know I will.”
Then in that spur of the moment, my eyes lightened.
“Wait, that’s it!” I spurted excitedly. “That’s it! I’ve got just the perfect idea.”
“Coming from you I’m not sure if it’ll—“
I hit him hard on the arm and sent him a glower. “Just trust me on this.” I said before propelling myself into a sprint.
“Wait!” I heard Kyle protested as I dashed towards the stairs. “Really, Ronnie, I’ll just deal with it by myself, I don’t need…”
His voice was drowned out as I neared the grass field where few students were still sitting around in a circle, enjoying their lunch. There were shouts here and there and some sophomores were playing footie. One guy threw a ball at his opposing team and pursue in laughing as if it was the funniest thing on earth. Really, jocks who played football were usually not very bright, I blame it on the multiple concussions they get during the game.
But no time to dwell in the intelligence of footie players, although I doubt it would take too long; I had to find someone before the bell signaled the end of lunch.
After pushing away a few freshmen, I saw him through the crowd. He was in all his blonde glory, working his charm on a few girls from my Biology class.
“Dylan” I shouted as I crossed over to his side. The girls (yes, I didn’t even remember their names) shot me a glare before giving Dylan a pout. But too bad, their actions were wasted as his interest wasn’t on them anymore. Haha, take that loser. I catch more attention then you, and I do it without pouting.
“Let’s go out. Thursday… right?” I said, panting slightly. Damn, who told me to run so fast?
He looked shocked for a moment before a wide smile graced his lips. “Suddenly realise that you have a hidden passion for me and want to elope and bear my children?”
“You read too many romance novels” I teased him, while shrugging off the daggers that were thrown at my direction. “Under one condition.” I added, looking up at him mischievously.
“What?” His brows arched.
“I want a double date.”
He tapped his chin twice. “And with whom?”
My grin widened and my eyes glinted evilly as a plot began to conceive in my brain.
“Kyle and Rosa.”
Anyway, anyhow, I apologize deeply and profusely for not updating for… lets see… wow, over 4 months! I can’t believe it. But I can’t help it. It’s because my new boarding school blocked all the pop-ups and I wasn’t able to update any of my stories, review or even reply to any of my reviewers. Again, I am sorry. And no, I have not given up on this story. But unfortunately, I’ll probably be very slow on updating… until the holidays when I go back home and have unfiltered access to the World Wide Web.
Again sorry, my readers. I didn’t want this to happen. Really.
Anyway, back to the plot. YAY! A double date with Rosa, Kyle, Ronnie, Dylan and NICK. Muhaha, that’s got to be interesting. But too bad, the date won’t come up till the next next chapter, because I need the next chappie to unfurl more of Ronnie’s past… and possibly Nick’s.
