Chapter 16: Mr. and Ms. Environmentalist

Chapter 16: Mr. and Ms. Environmentalist (Wattpad)

“You’re crazy!” I hissed as he calmly stalked to the sugar apple tree on my right. It was beautiful but I can’t really appreciate how just pretty it is because of Travis. He just lost his mind!

“What are you doing?!” I continued hissing through clenched teeth. He ignored me – that was expected but it still made my temper snap – and now he stood in front of the huge specimen, his arms crossed, no doubt deliberating on how to climb up. I scanned the vicinity quickly and rushed up to him, getting hold of his elbow and tried to dissuade him.

“If you got caught, I won’t cover for you. We just helped them! You’re so… stupid!” He didn’t even budge; he just smiled at me and said in a lilting voice, “Don’t tell me you’re not going to join me.” My jaw dropped. This situation is entirely ludicrous. I can’t climb up there! First thing, I don’t even know how to climb and secondly, well. Secondly, I just can’t!

“There isn’t even any reason to climb up there! You’re insane as hell.” It was clear that his mind was set even before he turned to me and said, “There isn’t any reason not to do it.”

“Idiot! You are so – ” he started getting hold of the trunk and positioned his foot on a rock nearby and heaved himself up. I was speechless. I can’t help stomping my foot in bottled up irritation, “Get back here, Travis!” He only laughed and looked back at me, “Why are you whispering?”

I sighed and scowled. This isn’t a bloody adventure! If someone sees up and reports, I don’t know what the hell I should do. He was already sitting on the tree, on a spot where two sturdy branches sprout from the trunk. One branch was higher than the other and he used it as a bar to keep himself properly balanced. I think he’s seven or eight feet from the ground, and that’s rough estimation.

“Come up here, Avery.” He offered me his free hand but I didn’t pay the slightest attention to it. I swept a frantic glance on the nearby sparse area between the trees and hissed, panicked, “Not so loud! I knew you were trouble from the beginning – ”

“Just climb up, use that rock over there.”

“You’re insane. And what’s the hand for?” he chuckled at my question and swung both of his feet, “For you. Climb up. Come on, I’ll give you space.” He started scooting to the side, inch by inch and left enough space between him and the tree’s main trunk. If he seriously thinks I’ll go up there, he needs therapy.

“I don’t climb bloody trees. And get back here, Travis. If you fall down, I won’t catch you.” 

He was still swinging his feet and he looked at ease with himself, “I was counting on that. Why don’t you get up here so we both fall? That way, your conscience stays clean.” I released a worn-out sigh. He’s worse than Harvey and Nique put together – my twin cousins. Twin cousins who wreak havoc at every opportunity they got. 

And they’re coming over on Saturday.

I groaned out loud. Just talk about timing. Travis seemed to be worried and tried to change my mind one more time, “The view is pretty.”

I just pursed my lips and crossed my arms so tightly that it probably looked glued together. I frankly couldn’t care less. He didn’t give up just yet and held out his hand again, “Come on, Avery. Come up here with me?”

“Don’t use that mushy tone with me.” He laughed jovially and replied, “I wasn’t using any tone. Just come up and I’ll help you.” He extended his hand.

“What good would come out of this nonsense? Please illuminate my mind, because I really can’t see anything.” He looked at me strangely and said, “Don’t you do things just for fun? Because you want to?”

“I do. For my sanity, please just go down – ”

“Give me an example?” he asked.

I took a deep breath to calm myself down. Okay, I told myself, No way in hell this guy would give up. I bit my lip. I’ll just talk him through it – I won’t climb that tree.

“Example of what?”

“Things you do for fun.” He shrugged, finally letting his arm rest at his side while the other remained clutching the upper branch. Bloody things I do for bloody fun. I gritted my teeth, “I bake cookies – ”

“Really?”

I stared up at his face, eyebrows pitched up and lips slightly parted. He looked surprised. “What’s with me baking cookies?” I asked in mystification.

“Nothing. I just didn’t expect you much as the kitchen type.” Then he became brighter – if that was even possible; he must be radiating sunlight himself. He said, “We should bake together sometime.” Dreadful images of the coming weekend flashed before my eyes: me baking in the kitchen and everyone from our small clan coming into our home and Travis magically appearing on the doorway. 

If Travis came personally to the house I will bake the cookies and myself.

I cleared my throat and said, “Yeah, sometime.” Sometime equals to not the weekend, right? Right? Right. “Please get down. It’s hard to keep my head up while talking to you, you know.”

“Then get up here. Please? I don’t bite.” He outstretched his hand yet again.

“I told you I won’t. What the hell is it with you and rule-breaking?” I wondered out loud. He retorted, “What’s with you and too much devotion to the rules?” he didn’t give me a chance to speak, “I’m not committing a crime here. Just get up.”

“No.” I said the word as harshly as I could. He didn’t even let me speak back there! Aaargh. This guy’s instinct for male domination goes back a long way. 

“Please?” he put his hands together in a pleading gesture and I can’t help myself, “Don’t do that. Hold on to something or you’ll bash your head down here.” One eyebrow of his came up and he said, “Aww. I love you, too.”

“On second thoughts, you’re free to commit suicide right about now.”

He laughed louder, his teeth glistening, “Avery, I was just teasing. No need to be so touchy. Just come up here, will you?” I scratched my head and bit my lip. “Arguing with you, Mr. Warner, gets tiresome.”

“Then don’t argue.” He simply stated.

“So, I just what?” I said sarcastically, “Climb up there?”

“Yeah, that’s all. Simple, isn’t it?” he grinned and then spoke in a thoughtful voice, “Unless you don’t know how to climb up. You do, don’t you?”

“Of course I do.” I automatically responded defensively and then I realized my mistake too late. He already had that devious grin on his perfect face and he said patronizingly, “Of course you do. You’re my genius. Silly me.” He paused but carried on in a single beat, “Why don’t you show me?”

I gritted my teeth together for the hundredth time and confessed, “I lied. I don’t know how. I never had, happy?”

“Marginally.” He nodded, “You can try now, I’ll teach you.”

“No, thank you. I appreciate it, but no.”

“It’s not like you not wanting to learn new things. Topics inside the classroom, no problem – straight As, not to mention the creepy thing you have with the calculating earlier. But outside? Now, that’s the million dollar question.” He tapped a finger against his chin for emphasis. 

I snapped.

He wants the adventurous Avery, fine. I’ll give him more than climbing pathetic trees.

I stepped forward and settled my foot on the nearby slab of rock, making sure I was stable while holding on the main trunk of the tree. I heard Travis’ laugh and I saw his offered hand next to my head. He said, “Grab hold. I’ll heave you up.”

“If you let go, I’m going to drag you down with me.” I threatened as I placed my free hand on his warm one. I felt goosebumps creep along my arm and I heard him say, “Deal. Come on up. I got you, love.” 

I blushed inexplicably and he heaved me up with my other arm around the trunk and my free foot on a particularly low branch. I twisted my torso around and sat on the sturdy branch next to him. I immediately held the upper branch for ensured balance, much like he was doing, and I tried to forget the whole ‘I got you, love’ nonsense. 

He smiled at me, “See? That wasn’t so hard.” Instead of answering, I pursed my lips and looked down, willing myself not to trigger my phobia to heights. I scooted closer to the main trunk, enough to feel my side pressed against it. Travis – the complete idiot – inched closer and I was now sandwiched between him and the trunk. Great.

“How long do we have to stay here again?” I asked. “Your call. We’re not so high up from the ground, but high enough.” He pointed to the fountain obscured on the other side of the gravel path, between the trees. “It looks prettier up here.” 

“Uh-huh. Prettier.” I muttered absently, trying not to let my fear show. I can’t look down. I’m practically frozen like a block of ice, which is not good. 

“Hey are you acrophobic?” he asked, sounding surprised. I just swallowed and nodded, not an eager for an elaboration any more than I could handle. He chuckled uncomfortably, “I have a fear of spiders, not that it matters. Why didn’t you say anything to me?” he now put his spare arm around my shoulder.

“You were pushing.” I whispered.

“Still, you should’ve said something in the first place.” He insisted as he moved more closely to me. I said without sparing a thought, “You can squish me if you want. I don’t care. I really don’t want to feel empty air around me at the moment.” He laughed slightly in my ear and I shivered. He moved even closer. 

“Better?” he said.

“Yeah,” I nodded, “Though, I think I’m still losing contact with reality.” 

“Why don’t you avoid looking down so you won’t feel the nausea or whatever the hell you’re feeling?” he reasoned out to me. I took a deep breath and looked up at the canopy of trees above our heads and instantly felt worse.

“No…” I bit my lip, “Didn’t work.”

“Oh, uhm…” he shifted his weight uncomfortably and tightened his hold on my shoulder – whether he was aware of it, I don’t know – and then he said, “Why don’t you tell me some trivia? Like, about polar bears, penguins, or something?”

“The body of a jellyfish is 99% water.” I blurted out without thinking. This seemed to distract him, “Really?” he said, eyes wide, “So what happens when they’re on land?”

“They die and rapidly disappear as the water in their body evaporates.” 

“Wow.” He said. “They’re like ninjas.” 

“Did you know penguins know how to fly millions of years ago?”

“No way.” He said, his eyes getting wider, “They’re swimmers.”

“Go ask the encyclopedia back home.” I felt my heartbeat slow down and I calmed down remarkably. He asked, “You recovered yet?”

I nodded slightly and responded, “Sure, I’ll survive.”

“Err, not that it’s bad, but why do you look frozen?”

“Huh? Oh, right. Yeah. Right.” 

Then without warning, he shook my shoulders. “Bastard!” I screamed, “If I died right there, I will haunt you forever.” I faced the tree trunk. “That would be interesting.” He said. I felt his chin on my shoulder and the goosebumps started again.

“Can you please evaporate?”

He laughed out loud and his breath tickled my neck. This is bad. This is very bad. When I felt him pull back, a cold wave of relief washed over me, “That was out of line.” I told him and I turned around. His face was overcome with curiosity and he was pursing his lips. My brow creased.

“Travis, you okay?”

“Can I ask your permission?”

“For what? I don’t have anything with me right now.” I reminded him in case he gets any ideas.

“Can I kiss you?”

I almost fell off the tree had it not been for the higher branch where I put my hand on. Travis said, “Whoa, careful – ”

“”Please don’t tell me I head what I think I heard.” I said, looking at the dead center of his eyes. He shrugged, smiling lopsidedly, “Just this one time?”

“You did it before. And what if there’s a paparazzo around?” This is not happening. I’m on a bloody tree with him. That in itself is too much for the ultimate power of reality. Maybe extraterrestrial beings had infiltrated the Earth to the point that the person in front of me – who’s very close to me – was actually an alien which has hidden or invisible gills, and maybe scales to match – 

“You look hit my lightning. I just want to kiss you and I’m not an alien.”

“Who said you were?” I muttered innocently. Did I just say my thoughts out loud? That’s ridiculous. 

“I heard you murmuring, Avery.”

Right. It was ridiculous. 

“I think we should get down now.” When he didn’t look convinced, I added, “It’s getting a bit dark.” My voice was feeble and his hand came up and cupped my face.

“Uhm…If somebody sees us…” he came closer to me and closer until I felt my head bump against the trunk.

“This is a joke, right? I’m dreaming, most probably…” he’s so close to me now that the tip of our noses touch and I saw his eyes shine from a smile. He said, “You’re nervous.”

“You’re out of your mind.” 

He laughed lightly and replied, “Yes, I am.” He tilted his head to the side and leaned even closer. “Uhm… we should…probably…get down, don’t you think?” My chest heaved as his other hand got mine and he placed it on his neck. More of this, I would surely die. I’m serious. He’s so close to me. I can’t even breathe. He smiled, showing his perfect set of white teeth. He didn’t even move back; he just stayed there. This is fucking ridiculous! It’s not fair – I can’t even breathe, for the love of God. I said with my uneven voice, 

“You’re torturing me. Go away.” His eyes gleamed from my remark and he raised a sexy eyebrow, “Do you want to torture to end?”

“Yeah…Go, now.”

He chuckled quietly and instead of backing off, he leaned an inch more and his lips caught mine. My heart stopped and all thought were zapped from my mind. He kissed me softly, his hand coming up to my hair to keep me in place. Then the kiss became different. His kissing turned deeper, his lips coaxing my mouth to open but they remained sealed shut. He bit my lower lip and my next breath drew in sharply.

“Stop that.”

“What? The biting thing?” he said in a rough one and he bit my lower lip yet again and murmured, “I think it’s nice.” Before I could respond, he kissed me again, pushing me over the edge of my sanity. I released a sated sigh against his perfect lips and he chuckled. I looked at him and he said, “See? Not that bad at all.” He looked at me and pursed his lips hungrily. He said, his gaze darkening,

“If I’m not mistaken, you’re more than up for round two.”

-

On a nearby tree invisible from view, the lone paparazzo silently took picture after picture. He couldn’t stop grinning. Money! he thought with relish, and he could already see the headlines, The son of the president of Gedi Institute with his one and only love or something like that. He didn’t care. All he knows is that huge magazine companies would be clamoring for his pictures. He smiled wider.

Today is heyday.

-

Chapter 15: The damned park

Chapter 15: The damned park (Wattpad)

“Why are you still freaking out?”

I bit my lip worriedly. We were in his car – a Jaguar, what else could I expect? – and we were heading to the bloody park. When we got out of the bathroom, we didn’t encounter any prefects or any obstructions on the way and he practically dragged me across the parking lot and into his expensive car. He got it for his 18^th birthday. 

I wonder what my parents would give me.

“I’ve never done this in my whole life. I don’t cut classes, why am I even here?” he just chuckled, replying, “I knew this would be good for you.”

I turned my body around to face him, “You call this insanity ‘good?’ We’ll be in the principal’s office in less than twenty-four hours and this isn’t even my idea.”

“Avery,” he said in a patient tone, “Breaking some rules is sometimes good for a person.”

“This isn’t one of those times.”

“Yes, it is.” He argued, “Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think you’ve never disobeyed your parents, teachers, anyone since you learned how to breathe.” That last part was just harsh! Technically, he’s right, but I never really saw anything appealing in being a rule breaker. I just don’t like it.

“What does my obedience have to do with anything?” I grumbled. 

“If you don’t explore beyond what you know, how can you learn?” I paused. That’s…absurd. I do explore beyond my own means. My brows drew together in thought. I definitely explore. I said, “You sound like a monk.”

His lips turned up in a radiant smile, “I’m right, aren’t I?” I can’t help rolling my eyes, “But I do explore. Maybe you’re just terribly unobservant.”

“I meant a different explore. Beyond the rules and the restrictions.” He shrugged and finally said, “Nevermind. We’re here.” His grin turned wider as he took a right. My eyes surveyed the wooden welcome sign that read simply, ‘The Royal Ridge.’ I groaned. 

“Tell me why you hate this place again.” He inquired as he drove carefully through the tall trees and the other beautiful obstructions.

“It’s ancient history.” I supplied lifelessly.

“I’m sure it’s fun to hear.” He prodded. He has no idea what he’s talking about. There’s nothing fun about a guy using a girl at all. “You’ll be bored to tears.” I said to him.

“Come on, Avery. I’m sure it’s not that bad.” He stopped the car beside a thick oak tree and turned the engine off. “Let’s get out first; I want to show you something.” Before I could even respond, he got out and started waking to my side of the car. When I came out, I found myself face to face with him and closed the car door without breaking off the staring contest. I said to him, “I’ve been here before. I memorize this bloody park.” 

He laughed in confusion, “Why do you say that as if it’s a bad thing?”

“Because it is.” I scowled at the ground. Without warning, he put his arm around me and pulled me close to his side, probably using my right side in the process. My scowl deepened as he started walking without relinquishing his hold on me. He said, “While we’re walking, you could tell me what it’s all about.”

For the whole duration of the afternoon, we did nothing but walk around the park and talk about nonsense things. To tell you the truth, it’s not that bad. But, no. Just no. But my mind seemed to disregard the ‘no’ I was shouting in my head as we played tag on the spot and skipping rope with a bunch of kids we say while we were walking by. 

I was having fun like I never had in days. I hadn’t noticed that it was almost afternoon but whenever I’d point out that we shouldn’t be where we were, he’d cut me off and invite me to another silly – and tempting – activity, like hide and seek. 

I must be crazy.

Now we were eating ice cream, sitting on the green grass. I didn’t want him to buy this since it was incredulously expensive but damn, I never knew ice creams could be so delicious.

“Avery, two hundred fifty-six times one hundred sixty-three?”

“Forty-one thousand, seven hundred twenty-eight.” I giggled, “Seriously, you can do better than that.” I taunted as he looked at me with his mouth hanging open. 

Okay, so I confessed to him a little secret of mine; ever since I learned how to count like the many infants around the world, my parents and math teacher found something unusual in my counting skills. They called it a gift.

I always called it a disorder.

I can do large sums in my head, and it’s just that. I don’t know how I do that but it’s really easy. I laughed as I watched Travis’ face, “Eat your ice cream before I get it from you.”

“I think you’re a mutant.” He said, licking his ice cream. “No one can do that, it’s impossible. Maybe you’re lying.”

“I’m not.” I said without a qualm as I finished eating and I hugged my legs to myself looking at the sky. 

“Right, maybe you’re just an experiment gone wrong.” Then, “But you’re a nice experiment.”

“Gee, thanks. That was a heart-warming compliment.” I shrieked as he lunged at me and tickled me mercilessly. 

Time passed by in a blur as we did all the things we could think of. We even tried out being a temporary mascot – yes, I know – for the promotion program of the park for an hour – Travis was wearing pirate attire and I was a nymph. Kids were going gaga over us and I probably never laughed like I did right then. They actually believed that we were pirates and mythical creatures and we made up stories about ship wars and trolls that eat fairies. It was outrageous. Lies are bad, right?

When I was changing to my usual jeans and t-shirt, I thought about what I’m doing. Like, what I’m really doing. I was having fun with Travis, the son of the president of Gedi Institute, the most promising company and all the glitz and glitter and – and the bane of my existence? 

He isn’t, right?

I’ll think about that later. Too confusing.

A smile unconsciously formed on my face as I heard him saying even though he wasn’t even in the room, “Avery! I have a wonderful idea – it’s something to curb your cautious nature.” He opened the door and flashed me a perfect smile.

I don’t like the sound of that. And I don’t have a cautious nature! “Enlighten me?”

He walked me over to the outside first, and didn’t say anything until we were surrounded my tall trees and Mother Nature. He looked around the area, the tall trees, and the deserted gravel path and craned his neck to check that no one was staying by the bench. I’m actually giving a go for whatever he’s thinking, as long as it doesn’t violate the park rules – I mean, we just helped them for their promotion and doing something bad for them felt akin to backstabbing.

When he was contented with his search, his hand on mine tightened. He asked, “Tell me, will those people back there give me penalty for climbing one of these trees?”

Chapter 12: Top of the list

Chapter 12: Top of the list (Wattpad)

I’m considering dropping out of school, but when I think of the progress I made for this school year, the words ‘drop out’ just seems heartbreaking. I picked up my pen and started scribbling the last question for Athena and Will’s reviewers. And less than five minutes later, I stapled the two pages of each and looked at my cloned copies. I scribbled one above, Will and the other Athena. Okay, mission accomplished. 

I lay down on my bad and fanned my hair around me. Thoughts were swirling around my head and making me dizzy, and I tried closing my eyes but what happened was much worse. Words in black and white were flashing through my eyelids, words like Warner, Jacob, Potter, boyfriend, Athena, reputation, cookies – wait. Cookies?

What does cookies have to do with anything? Then my mind hit on the right memory. Oh, right. The cookies for Dad saving my neck because of the bike near fiasco. As I looked back on that day, it seemed to be a lifetime away from me. So many things had happened and it’s not good.

I started getting up, thinking I should check the remaining ingredients downstairs when my phone rang. Oh, what now?

I grabbed it from under my pillow and looked at the caller ID, which displays, Unknown number. Uh-oh. I watch the setting sun dip ever so slowly down the horizon and felt like kicking something. I pushed ‘accept.’

“Hello?”

“Avery, I need to tell you something.”

I groaned and closed my eyes in frustration, “What do you want?”

“I just wanted to tell you that we have to make a list.” A what?

“A list?” I repeated, my tone full of doubt and uncertainty, “A list of what? Are you out of your mind?” 

“Any list! But it has to be about us. Just – just write something like, Things I love about Travis or something like that.” He is out of his mind. Why the hell would I do that? “Tell me what this bloody list for is again?”

“My Mom. God, she’s such a romantic. But I really want to convince her and we need something concrete.” That way he says that makes what we’re doing sound like against the law. Well, technically, it is; it violates the law of etiquette. It crushes etiquette.

 “Fine, I’ll do your bloody list.”

“You’re an angel. And I’m sorry if I’m talking to you like this, I’m kind of busy.”

“Yeah, I figured. I have something to do as well, so we should probably – ”

“Absolutely! And by the way, the Polaroid is with me. Bye, Avery. Thank you so much, you’re wonderful.” Polaroid?

“What’s with the – ” the line went dead. He just hanged up on me! I disregarded the fact that he already said bye and therefore has the right to turn down the phone but he bloody hanged up on me! 

I gritted my teeth for the millionth time this day and tried to bottle up my anger. “Why is this insanity even happening to me?” I muttered under my breath to no one in particular. After that damnable lunchtime, my friends smothered me with cannonballs of questions and right now, I know they have it in their heads that Travis and I are the type of couples that are lovey-dovey with each other – which we aren’t.

The situation is really bad for me! I don’t get irritated easily and I have rare occurrences of foul moods but everything’s turning upside down now.

Travis Warner is to blame for this mutation.

I swept my hand through my hair annoyingly and got out my plain white stationary from the cabinet as well as a Biro. I scribbled on top with a messy handwriting – my handwriting was neat before! neat! – the words, Things I hate about Travis Anthony Warner. 

I paused in thought and started a first one, He makes my blood boil. That’s perfect, but I’m sort of craving for more. I added below the first, He thinks he rules the world. I tapped my pen against the pad of paper, getting the hang of this pointless scheme. This is actually not a bad idea – I already feel some of the moodiness leave my system. 

“Avery?” I heard downstairs. 

“Coming, Dad.” I called out, but I couldn’t resist adding one more to my list, He’s vain. I put my items down and raced to the stairs and saw Dad over the stove.

Dad on the stove means trouble.

“Do you need help?”

“Honey, I did everything like your Mom said to prepare for dinner, but it just started looking like that.”

I giggled. My father attempting to cook is like Voldemort laughing with Albus Dumbledore. “You know, Dad, you can tend to the garden; I’ll cover you up here.” He gripped my shoulder and kissed my forehead, “You’re an angel.” I laughed as he went to the cupboard. He got out his gardening tools and headed out to the door. I turned to what Dad did and dumped the charred remains of – chicken? I think it is. I started everything from scratch, hoping that my not-that-bad-anymore mood will last until dinner.

2 hours later.

The bloody mood didn’t last. Partly because a lot of people had been prank-calling me ever since I went back to my bedroom – Travis’ girl minions, no doubt. And because of his bloody messages – he said he has a surprise for me and I texted him back, asking what it is but I received no reply. I sent it again, still none. I did it again. And again and again.

Nothing.

I should get sick tomorrow. Really, maybe a fever would do. Better yet, flu. Nobody can suspect me of having other motives for not turning up, right? It’s flu, for Christ’s sake. I cut my tasty chicken thigh with my knife, imagining it was Travis’ foot. I cut another slice because that trick did work like magic for my nerves. And the Polaroid problem is really disconcerting me. 

What the bloody hell has that to do with us?

Somehow, I don’t like the feel of it. He will do something, I’m sure of it. Why can’t he just cut the long story short and save me from these stress attacks? I don’t even feel stress before.

“Avery?”

“Travis? I mean, Dad? Dad? What?”

“Ave, you seem distracted,” Mom said with her forehead creasing, “You okay?”

“Yeah, Mom. It’s just the three tests tomorrow and some people asked me for help and I was thinking how to help them understand and…stuff.” 

“I was just saying,” Dad said, chewing the dinner he supposedly prepared, “That you were planning to bake this Saturday.”

Saturday.

Weekend.

The bloody park.

“Yeah, I’m going to bake.” I said without vigor.

“You’ll have to make a lot – Aunt Adelaine and the others are coming.”

“What?” No! The timing is rotten! Rotten.

“They’re going to stay for three days.” said Mom. Oh, God. My uncles. My grandma. My cousins.

I’ll just have to commit suicide.

“Ave, you okay?” Mom asked again.

“Yeah! Yeah, I’m fine.” I said, putting a spoonful of chicken in my mouth and swallowed hard, “That’s great! I missed all of them.” My voice trailed away as disturbing images formed in my mind’s eye.

What the bloody hell would happen?

I clenched my jaw and stabbed the chicken mercilessly with a fork. They won’t find out. I won’t let them.

-

Sylvia looked at her daughter from across the table. She was never really good at lying; that’s one of the qualities that made her dear. The mother smiled silently.

She wondered when they’ll be able to meet this Travis.

-

Chapter 11: Beneath the surface

Chapter 11: Beneath the surface (Wattpad)

It’s dismissal time.

My life is over. I’m doomed. 

After that incident, gossips have been spreading like wildfire. Even bloody teachers have been asking me how things were going between us and I can’t – they’re teachers! They’re supposed to be minding their own business! Everywhere I go, people would give me awestruck looks like they’re seeing a god or something of the sort, which is not fun, I’m telling you. It’s worse than the genius trash.

I was walking with my friends and I was aware of the awkward tension in the air, but they talked and acted as if nothing out of the usual happened during lunch. And here I am, in a bubble, disconnected from the rest of the world. I can’t believe that happened. My mind was still somehow refusing to accept the fact. It seemed like everything was a blur and we never even smoothed things out so I have no idea what to do, how to act. Damn it. 

We reached the parking lot and Lexi and the others were still chatting when we heard the awkward greeting from behind.

Travis was there, looking uncomfortable and uncertain. I haven’t seen him since lunchtime and… and nothing. He said sheepishly, “So, uhm, guys, I think you know now that, uhm… Can I borrow Avery for just one second please?”

“Yeah,” Lexi said, staring. “Sure.”

Okay, this is it, the opportunity to smooth things over. He grabbed my hand and led me far away from my friends as possible, but unfortunately, people were lingering around, hoping to hear something interesting. Good God, aren’t they satisfied? Without letting go of my hand, he stopped in front of a Volvo and faced me.

“So, uhm, would you like to be my girlfriend for a while?”

Someone must really hate me somewhere and used witchcraft against me. Or even maybe supernatural means of revenge for something I’ve done unsuspectingly and asked – 

“Do you always do that when you freak out?”

“Huh? No.” What did he say?

He pursed his lips to keep from smiling and shook his head, “You’re such a lousy liar.”

“That’s a good thing. Lying is bad.” Then I looked at my friends engaged in a conversation with William Ricks, “Which reminds me of what we’re doing in this hell of a situation.” His other hand grasped mine and he said, “I had no idea you were having some problems.”

This day is evil. I’m having an awkwardly normal conversation with him, for God’s sake. I wanted to shake my hands out of his but truth be told, it feels nice. 

Forget I said that. Seriously.

I took a deep breath and raised my face up to his, “Just…no attachment, okay? And we’re not going to act all mushy with each other.”

“Yes, of course!” he grinned at me happily. “Whatever you like.”

At last, there is one thing he’s agreeing with. I heaved a sigh of relief and started to back away, removing my hands from his touch, “Okay, so tomorrow will be hell for me, so I should – ”

“Wait,” he caught my wrist and smiled alluringly, “Why don’t we start now?” How the hell can he act like there are no people gaping at us?

“I’m tired. Do you know how much stress and delusions you put me through after that paper conversation?” He didn’t even answer me and just raised his free hand to smooth my hair. I fought the shiver that went through me and said, “Will you please stop doing that?” I twisted my head away and looked at his face, and it was evident that he was enjoying. 

“Why? I’ve always liked your hair; it’s like dark chocolate.”

“It’s boring.”

“Well, then, why don’t you try to let it loose for once? You always braid it.” 

“I prefer it that way, you do you even care?”

“I’m just curious what you’ll look like when you unbraid it.” An awkward silence followed and he said hesitantly, “So, uhm, what’s your favorite color?”

I laughed out loud, “You really don’t have to go through the torture of actually knowing me.”

“Why not?” he chuckled, exposing the dimple on his right cheek, “I think you’re nice. So what’s your favorite color?”

“Blue.” I said unthinkingly, looking at his eyes.

Fuck. My favorite color is red.

He raised an eyebrow, smiling widely. “Really? Mine’s caramel.” 

Aaargh. Stupid colors. “Shut up. And stop smiling like that. I want to go home.” I started walking away, but he followed on my heels. 

“Home?”

“Yes, do you have one?”

“Actually I have plenty.” He still followed me and I started looking for my friends. Where the hell are they? “I only have two homes. And where the hell is Cassie?”

“Really?” I heard him say behind me, “Where’s the other one?”

“Raleigh, North Carolina. And where are they?” 

“You’re a country girl?” he said in a surprised voice and I couldn’t help but turn around. I sighed in exasperation, “I just said it. Please tell me why that insignificant fact is so hard to believe.”

“It just is.” He shrugged, “You like Harry Potter, don’t you? Want a movie marathon this weekend?” 

Weekend. There’s something about that – oh, God. I did a little facepalm. 

“What’s wrong?” he said, gently shaking my shoulders, “Don’t you want a marathon?” 

“I told my friends that you’re taking me out this weekend and just. Hell. Forget it.”

“That’s great! So, what time do I pick you up?”

Pick – oh my God.

“No, no! It’s fine. You don’t have to – ”

“You sure? It would be fun.” He urged, smiling perfectly. “I’m sure, just – just do what you’re normally doing on weekends, Trav –Warner. Travis.” I amended, seeing his expression. Out of curiosity, I looked behind my back and saw a bunch of people ogling at us. And another bunch, and another…

Didn’t they even see two people talking to each other before? They’re getting annoying. 

Travis said, “They look like they want to replay the cafeteria scene.” He smiled down at me. Hell, no.

“Kiss them, not me. I’m going home.” Figuring that Cassie and the others already went without me, I walked away from the school, leaving Travis behind me. But I heard him holler, “Love you, honey!”

Fuck.

This is not healthy, it’s just starting and I’m already acting like a lunatic and saying nonsense things – and my favorite color is absolutely red, without a speck of blue on it.