"Jessy" She tapped me harder. I jerked myself and looked around frantically trying to take in my surroundings. I frowned.
"So...you didn't hear me calling your name?" She raised a brow and snapped her fingers at me in suspicion.
"Drat!, how's that important to me" I said jokingly despite my slight anger. However, she considered it as a 'world cup'.
"Seems like someone cherishes Arvin than me" She obviously saw me staring at the guy. She pretended to be angry and she pouted making her look lovely. I hugged her tightly.
"Come-on, it was a joke, and I'm sorry but even if I'm madly crushing for him, it can never ruin our friendship" Mati and I had a crush on Arvin but we were still best friends. Weird!
"Sorry" I repeated in an apologetic tone. Not seriously though...
"Ok apology accepted" She nodded firmly with a smile but suddenly her smile changed to seriousness. Slightly.
"What's up" I tapped her shoulder.
"You are so pretty" She placed her fingers on cheeks and stroked gently whiles I rolled my eyes.
"You're also pretty" I pinched her nose.
"No" She said in some sort of commanding tone. I pulled my chest back in a dramatic way.
"You're prettier than me..with your..." She sighed.
"With my what?" I asked with curiosity.
"With your beautiful brown eyes, your silky smooth brunette hair, your long lashes, your pointed nose and glossy lips... God..you are just perfect... " She really described me... completely. Fact is, I don't like my brown eyes. I wish I had blue or grey.... anything except brown.
"I'm not perfect.. nobody is..Why are you acting so boyish today" I took her hands off cheeks.
"You're so pretty" She shrieked but she sounded serious. Thank goodness the class was noisy already. I blushed.
"It's not like someone isn't more prettier than me...You're pretty too" I said calmly.
"Thanks" She rolled her eyes but she was blushing. I chuckled. My mind went back to the kidnapped girls and I felt uneasy and anxious again. I felt like I was in line with them.
~~
It was quite a long day.. school has finally ended. Mati and I were walking together. it was our usual habit. We only got separated when we reached the bus station. We were chatting about the latest gossip in school when Matilda suddenly pointed her finger at a direction. I looked at the direction and I saw Arvin coming towards us. Not like he was alone. Those sophomores were around him trying to flirt with him. We gaped at ourselves.... not because of the sophomores though.
I quickly straightened my dress whiles Mati did some sharp make-up. I rolled my eyes at her as she used the lip gloss on her lips trying her best not to be seen by Arvin. Arvin stopped halfway and beckoned Matilda to come over. He muttered something to the girls and they instantly scattered. The nerves of those girls.
"He..he called me" She widened her eyes as she stammered.
"Go for it girl" I gave her a thumbs up. She nodded wildly and trotted off. I felt jealous but she was actually my best friend so I shrugged it off and looked away. Moments later, she rather came back with a sad look on her face.
"What's up..how did it go?"
"He likes you rather, he doesn't like me" Her grey eyes were already glossy.
"No, you probably got it wrong" My voice was almost a whisper as I saw that Arvin was coming towards me now. I swallowed. She made to go but I held her arm pleadingly.
"Please..don't leave me alone with him..pleeeease" I practically begged.
"Hey, this is your chance, I'm happy for you" She forced a smile through her sobs. Did I tell you she was sobbing now? She held my hands and pulled it off her hand gently as I watched.
"Good luck" And with that, she walked off, the wind blowing her blonde hair as she clutched her bag. I had so much in my mind to tell her but she just walked away. I wanted to tell her that she was not ok with it because she was sobbing..I wanted to tell her that I'll try to get rid of Arvin if that is what will make our relationship safe but she just walked away....she just walked away.
I breathed in and out several times to calm my nerves especially as someone was walking towards me. I decided to just walk away too but before I could do that, that someone held my wrist gently. I clenched my fist and turned to face him. I made my body stiff and I couldn't look at him. His gaze was so magnetic. I looked downwards instead.
"Hi Jessy" He said sweetly releasing my wrist. I had wanted to tell him to leave me alone..to tell him to get back to those flirty girls..they could give him the joy that he needed... or wanted....but instead...
"Uh, hey.. yeah" I said trying to sound cheerful.
"Can I ride you home" I snapped my head up to look at him. His eyes were pleading. He was actually begging to send me home. Another weird thing but I found myself touched at his pleas or request or whatever it was.
I wanted to shout 'YES' but so much was going on in my mind now especially as I thought of Mati. Would she be fine if I stayed with Arvin, Will our relationship even stand still?.... But Hannah's voice seized my thoughts.
'You should never allow someone's thoughts to destroy your dreams or take control of you!'
That's it! Matilda herself had told me that she was happy for me. She had even wished me 'good luck' which meant so much for me...now what?
"Alright" I said in a low voice and he led me to his car with a gainful grin. "You have a car?" It finally dawned on me to ask. He chuckled.
"Yeah"
I opened the door to the back seat but he quickly blocked me and and opened the door to the passenger seat in a gentleman manner. I studied his face to see if I could find some information as to why he wants me to sit at passenger seat rather than the back seat. I sighed when I found nothing. Well, who would have thought that since that day, he would always insist to take me home. On one of those days, something happened.....