'For real this time.'
His sudden confession made me think I wanted the ground to swallow me whole. What was that? It was only then that I understood what my friends told me, and in all honesty, my mind was actually racing on what I should tell him.
We went on walking until we reached the doorstep to my house. I let go of his hand, as I always do everytime we're here and looked at him sideways. He was handsome, and I guess that was what attracted me to him at first. But beyond that facade, there lies a sweet guy, who cares for me and most importantly, gets along well with my friends. It was too good to be true, but how much can a young heart expect?
It was funny that my thoughts led me to think he would fight for me and we would end up together in the future but hey, Hannah Lee, why would you think of it this way? You guys are too young to be thinking about that.
My heart was beating rapidly when he looked into my eyes, boring into them that I had to look away from him. His eyes made me think that he could look deep within my soul, and I felt shy because I was afraid.
I was afraid he might see something in them, and he might be able to read me. That he might know he is someone special to me.
'Geoff,' I finally mustered the courage to speak up. 'I don't know what to say.'
He smiled at me, and his dimples found its way once more to that side of his face that melts my heart more than it really is right now.
'I can wait for you, Hannah. I can wait until you tell me your answer,' he replied, smiling. When he said so, I couldn't help but smile likewise. It seems to me he was so sure of what I would tell him. After a few moments, I bid him goodbye.
'Will I still be able to walk you home after today?' he asked. By the tone of his voice I could sense he was worried that he wouldn't be able to do so after the confession.
I opened the gate and rushed in, but before I could close it I looked at him and nodded. I didn't say anything, as I knew my voice would betray me. I closed the gate but because I was curious, I took a peek through the small creaks and I saw him still standing in front, smiling. I was surprised but I can't help myself smiling at him. He then turned around and walked away, with hands in his pockets. It seems to me that he knows I was still behind the gate before he left.
Days went on and even when we got closer, we never talked about what happened. It seemed awkward to me, well, I guess it really was since it was literally the first time someone has asked me out. But then, a thought crossed my mind and even when I was somehow locked in a bubble with him, I knew it could be true.
What if he did that confession just to get rid of Faith?
The latter only had dagger eyes for me everytime our paths crossed, and one afternoon as I was waiting for Geoff to come by after his practice, Faith and her gang came up to me. Trying to be nonchalant about it, I ignored them and went on with my thing - reading books.
'Oh, so here goes Miss Goody Two Shoes,' says Faith, who obviously was trying to irk me again. I didn't mind her, but then she grabbed my hand and made me stand up. I looked at her and before I could say anything, he shoved me on to the ground. She then stood over me and said,
'If you ever go near Geoff again -'
'Then what, Faith?' Mae called from behind. Recognizing her voice, I heaved out a sigh then a bit of a pang of pain on my elbow. I stood up rapidly and faced Faith.
'This won't be the last time, Hannah,' she said, walking away followed by her friends.
Mine then came to me and asked how I was. I actually felt relieved that they were there just in time.
'Are you okay?' Lou asked, checking up on me. I couldn't say anything but I just gave them a nod. I felt my anger rushing through my head still but I had to keep my cool.
I know Faith's reputation and I realized how the girls had been warning me about her. She is the resident badgirl in school, and I know messing up with her would entail a lot more things in the long run. I sighed, feeling worried.
'Do you want us to stay with you until he comes?' they asked me. I smiled at them and thanked them for coming in time.
'Is he worth it, Hannah?' Mae instead asked me, somehow annoyed with what happened. 'WIll you just allow that bully to push you and do more harmful things to you because of him?'
Everyone looked at her, surprised by her outburst. I understand what she means that's why I didn't look at her. I was not naive enough not to know the implication of my actions, no matter how young we are.
But before I could issue another denial, she beat me to it.
'Cut that crap, Hannah Lee! I know you are going to deny it once more. But please, do not tell me that you don't feel anything for him, and you are not together. Everybody has eyes to see,' she exclaimed. 'No wonder that woman wants to kill you.'
I took a deep breath.
'I am not going to lie to you anymore,' I said. 'But I don't know how to tell you about it, either.'