SUMMER'S P.O.V.
"Not your fault, Summer. It's not your fault." Skyler's smoothing my hair.
I remain silently crying between his arms and against his chest in remembering my mom's death.
"if only i listened to dad.... If only i hadn't joined the contest... If only i hadn't broken the guitar string... If only i hadn't let mom walk away to buy me a new one.... She would be here.. Still alive.. With me and dad.." I mumbled, still crying.
I hugged back at Skyler. Burying my face to her chest and soaking him of my tears.
"Summer.."
I'm already sniffling.
"let me go. I'd calmed down."
He released me. But not stepping away. He's still so close to me. I retreated a step and my back leaned against the tree.
I'm wiping my face by using my handkerchief.
"i'm not sorry for soaking your polo. It's your fault you haven't leave me alone that i want to cry on my own."
"and if didn't chase you, you should be dead by now."
And i just remembered the car coming to me earlier.
"okay. Many thanks."
Then we remained silent. Awkward silence between us.
I cleared my throat. "i'll go." I mumbled.
"where?"
I shrugged. "i don't know. Just.. Anywhere." I started moving when Skyler hold my hand.
"i'll go with you."
"you don't need to."
"but i want."
"i don't want you." I said.
"i don't care." He retorted.
Sometimes i think he's the male version of me when it comes to stubborness. And i don't know what's the cure of it.
"fine. But don't contradict me if you don't like the place that i would go." I pulled my hand and glared at him.
He seems hesitating.
Good.
"okay." He agreed.
I sigh.
I started walking and he follows.
We walk silently.
"why do you want to come with me?" I asked. Breaking the silence.
Seconds past and i thought he won't answer me.
"just to make sure you won't cross any road carelessly again."
"and why would you bother to care if i did?"
I'm walking ahead of him when he grabbed my wrist and i'd turn to him briskly.
"you're having a habit of grabbing me all the time!" I snapped at him angrily.
"well, get used to it."
I grunted.
"you scared me there, Summer." He said seriously. "and i don't want to feel it again. It's so... Ugh! Terrifying to witness." He put on his other hand on his temple. Like remembering it caused him a headache.
My anger washed away by guilt and fear. It really did feel so terrifying. And even me got scared. Not scared to have get mowed by the car. But scared of what will happen after it.
"i'm..sorry..." I mumbled, holding his hand that's on his temple and putting it down. He looked at me. His gaze is soft and gentle now. I put my left hand on his cheek. It's warm. "it won't...happen again." I rubbed his cheek with my thumb.
"but i would still come with you."
I pulled away and suddenly the sweet moment had disappeared. "ugh! I know!" I started walking ahead of him. "follow me as long as you want but don't complain."
He did not replied. Just following me closely.
I look at my wristwatch. It's newly 8. I'm hungry but i don't want to eat. But my stomach's craving for food.
So i headed to my favorite restaurant. It's only a walking distance from where we are.
I walked in the restaurant. Of course with Skyler at my heels. The restaurant's pretty crowded but i found a vacant table. I approached the area and took a sit. Also did Skyler, sitting across me. I love this restaurant because it's not really expensive and their food and service here is great.
A minute passed a waitress approached us. Holding a menu and a booklet.
"hi Summer!" She greeted me cheerfully.
I'm not really in the mood but i replied. "hello back."
"so, you brought a boyfriend huh."
"a friend, your error." I corrected.
Arian eyed Skyler. And i notice admiration in her eyes. Damn! I know Skyler's hot and all but i don't like anyone ogling of him in front of me. It's so disgusting! And very shameful! And it's making my mood worst.
"give me the menu already." I snapped and she blinked. Her gaze return to me.
"oh, here." She gave me the menu.
"give me the other one." Skyler muttered.
Arian give it to him with a flirtitious smile.
"flirt." I breathed.
"what?" Skyler turned to me with a confused look.
"you eating dinner?" I asked.
"yeah. I'm hungry as well."
Then we scanned our menus to choose what to eat.
In the corner of my eyes i see Arian staring at Skyler. Well,not just Arian, but also other girls from other tables. I rolled my eyes and ignored them. I know Skyler seems familiar to anyone.
After a minute, Skyler and i mentioned our orders.
Arian took off and returned after a few minutes with a tray of food in both hands.
"enjoy your meal." She said sweetly and looking Skyler admirably. He just noded.
We ate in silence.
I summon for the bill. Arian handed it to me but Skyler snatched it out of my hands.
"hey!" I protested, trying to snatch it back but Skyler keep it out of my reach.
"my treat." He said.
"no! I can pay."
"you can but i will."
"i will!"
"just let me treat you for a job very well done in your performance. Okay?"
I crossed my arms and thought for a while. Not minding some people heard us arguing or Arian's in front of our table. I can see she's jealous.
"okay." I said.
"good." Then he took his wallet from his pocket.
Okay, i glanced some dollar bills there, not some but many i mean. And there's also his license and ATM's.
I looked away coz i already know Skyler's super rich. And i am not.
He took out some dollars and handed it to Arian.
"keep the change."
Then we both stood up.
"thank you! Come back again." Arian said.
We get out of the restaurant. I walked and then paused for awhile. Looking up the sky. It's cold out here. But no problem. I saw the crescent moon shines brightly along with the twinkling stars with various colors. It lightens my mood slightly.
"i see, you love stars." He uttered beside Me.
I looked at Skyler and his eyes are at the night sky. Sky--Skyler. His name just suits him well.
"yeah, i do love it."
"so, where are you going next? Home?"
I chuckled. Skyler turn his gaze to me.
"who said home? Of course not." I looked at my wrist watch. It's nearly nine. I'm feeling cold and got depressed so why not get heated up?
I walked and Skyler at my heels.
"where are you going?" He chased after me.
"you still coming?"
"unless you got home safely."
I smirked. "i'm not."
"what?"
I didn't answer him. He got silent then.
We're walking in the busy and noisy streets now. The night club streets. And i'll enter one of it. I stopped in front of the entrances.
I looked at Skyler.
"you still coming?"
He took a step forward to me and i already know the answer.
I sigh. What would i do to get rid of him?
Yeah, i always want to be with him but there also are times i don't want him with and that's when he's sticking around me. I shook my head and grunted. Bad timing.
I walked in. It's an adult place but the securities are my friends. Bob and Tyr. So no problem entering.
"welcome back, Summer." Bob greeted me.
"how're you doing?" Tyr.
I smiled at them. "yeah, i'm back. And i'm fine." I'm going to be fine actually.
I started walking pass them when they blocked Skyler.
I turn back.
"he's with me. My new friend." I said to them then they stepped aside to let Skyler pass.
I walked on to the other door. Skyler remained silent.
I hold the knob but paused to turn back to Skyler.
"don't complain or anything." Then i opened the door.
Loud music blustered the room. Skyler followed along and closed the door behind. There's so many people here but this place is huge. It's only a night club, for getting drunk, hanging out, dance wildly, all in all just a regular club. Not a strip club.
I headed straight at the bar counter and took a sit in one of the stools.
"hi Mark." I greeted the bar tender.
"oh, hello Summer. The usual?"
"no. Give me the rare."
What i mean is i have two types of drinks here. My usual is only a light drink. My rare is the hard one.
"got a big problem, huh."
I smiled at him. "you knew me."
He's serving my drink now.
"you plan to get wasted?" Oh, i just remember Skyler's with me. He's just beside me, still standing.
"got a problem with that?" I eyed him sharply.
"of course it's a problem--"
"don't bother me or i'll get Bob and Tyr to kick you out of this club." I'm now glaring.
"fine!" He sit beside me.
I smile. "good." Then i began drinking my first shot.