I felt a thrill roll through my spine. I waited there nervously seeing his expressionless face, wondering what his response might be.
He stood there frozen, not expecting such a question from me, since we've barely talked, even though we were in the same class.
I carefully spoke, " Alec? ".
" Sorry I um... got carried away ", he said composing himself back.
" So..? "
" I am sorry, Claire. I am not trying to hurt your feelings. But I um... don't have any interest in dating.... ", came his reply which felt like the earth was groundless and I kept on falling...
" Oh ", I said it so abruptly. " It's OK, Alec. Thanks for being honest to me ", I tried to smile. His look was so apologetic when he walked away.
" Oh no ", I thought.
I went back to my friends.
" How did it go? ", asked Ryan excitedly.
" Not as planned ".
" Holy crap! I'm so sorry Claire ". It was Renee this time.
Sam just said, " it's okay, Claire. I'm always here for you ".
" Thanks ", I mumbled.
" Aw... I envy your friendship ", told Dan.
" Shut up, Dan ", I snapped.
So, these are my friends. Samuel, Dan, Renee, Ryan and Sam's girlfriend Lucy. Lucy joined us lately, about 3 months ago and I'm glad to have her. And I'm happy that Sam found a girl he truly loved and loves him back as much as he loved. Maybe I'm just not lucky enough.
The time slid away like water and we went in our separate ways for home.
I reached home in a taxi, went to my room and dropped myself on the soft bed with a heavy sigh. It hasn't been a great day. I rolled over. I couldn't control my tears. They were overflowing ignoring all my protests to stop them. I got up, washed my face and tried to sleep. But as expected, I couldn't. When I close my eyes, I could feel his warm, copper brown eyes. They were breathtaking. Thinking of Alec, I slowly drifted back to sleep.
Since I have graduated my high school, I slept in the next day. I woke up my sound of my phone. I got a message. It was Sam. It said, " Hey sleepy head, wanna hangout? ".
" Sure. In an hour. ", I replied.
After getting ready, I went to our usual place, a park not so far from my home and saw him waiting for me.
" Hey Sam..." I waved at him not so energetically.
" Hey sleepy head ", he grinned playfully.
" By the way, how did you know I was sleeping...? "
" You're my best friend Claire ".
" Huh. I guess that explains it. ", I said bitterly.
" Are you okay, Clay? ".
" Of course not ".
" Look Claire, I know it's not easy, but I'm here to help you. Anything you want. Okay? Don't put too much of a burden on yourself ".
" Yeah... Thanks Sam ".
" So what are you going to do on you birthday? ", he asked excitedly.
" I don't know, we'll have a party or something...".
" That sounds great, I'll invite everyone. Advanced Happy birthday Claire...! ".
" Thanks, but my birthday is not until tomorrow... so save the wishes for the special day ", I smiled at him.
I could see a relief in his face that I am smiling. Man, I'm so lucky to have such a best friend.
It was birthday eve. Everyone was invited. And a great chance to improve my mood. I was chatting with my friends so excitedly and I was so thankful to have them. My birthday was a blast.
The party went for the rest of the evening. Everyone left except my friends at 10:30 pm. They were excited more than I was on MY birthday. Then I noticed a pair brown eyes staring at me from a distance. As I saw it, it took me by surprise. There he was, Alec, waiting to grasp my attention, his eyes never leaving me which caused my goosebumps raise on my whole body. I stared back at him for a few seconds and then blushed and turned. My friends noticed it and Renee left a laugh that made me even more nervous. There he was watching everything. It must've been Sam who invited Alec... Ugh!! I was going to kill him.
With these thoughts on my head, I could see my dreamboy coming towards me slowly. He was right there, standing in front of me and asked a question with sweetness and boldness in his sweet, velvet voice...
" Will you go out with me, Claire Michaels? ".
I stood there speechless.