'I don't know how to tell you about it either,' I told my friends.
All eyes went to look at me, this time with much more tension. It seemed to me that they wanted to hear a confirmation, but then I truly am not ready to tell them about it.
Not until Geoff knows about it.
'But he doesn't know it yet,' I continued. Mae heaved out a deep sigh, one with exasperation.
'Do we really need to guess? It's clear as day, Hannah,' she said seriously, before she broke out in laughter. Everyone else followed, and I actually couldn't help myself not to be contaminated about it.
They were right all along. It's too impossible for me to deny that I don't like him even for a bit.
Lou came up to me and looped her arm around mine. She smiled at me and said, 'Hannah, whatever you decide to do, just remember we are behind you.'
As I was having time with my friends, I saw Geoff rushing up to where we were, seemingly fresh from shower as his hair was still wet. Worry was apparent on his face, and the girls took it as a cue and said goodbye to me. Before they left, Mae went up to him and whispered something. He then bowed at her before coming to me.
'Are you okay?' he asked, checking up on me. Without even asking, he took my bag from me and swung it over his shoulder. Reaching his hand out to hold my left hand, I jolted at the sudden movement and realized that I got a cut from the ruckus that happened earlier. I had to close my eyes a bit and then went up with him home.
But Geoff led me inside a convenience store. He asked me to sit down and wait for him, then he walked over to the counter to get something. He came back in a few minutes and opened a packet of band-aids. He then got something from his duffle, a first aid kit. Without any word, he took my left arm and cleaned the part where there was a gash. He then placed an ointment before taking one strip of band-aid and surprisingly, with the design of my favorite cartoon character. Winnie the Pooh.
I had to bite my lip to conceal a smile, while he was too seriously looking at my arm where he placed the strip. Checking to see if there were more scratches, he heaved out a sigh. He cleaned up the table and returned all his supplies into that small kit before placing it back to his duffle. He then stood up and went back to the counter. I felt flushed so I looked away from him, not knowing how to feel and understand what I had already felt for him.
I was really surprised at how he knew there was a wound and treated it with utmost care like he had done it so many times. Oh well, maybe because he is an athlete so he is prone to wounds. But I must admit, my heart fluttered when he did what he did.
'Here,' I heard his baritone voice which I am so used to hearing now. I turned to look at him and my eyes landed on the packet of mochi he was holding out. He then gave me a sweet smile, which I returned when I took what he offered to me. As he sat down across from me, I noticed a few students rushing into the convenience store and looked at us. I was shocked but then when they noticed that I was looking, they went straight away to the counter and ordered their food.
'You know, when I was younger, everytime I came home having a scratch or bruise from playing, my uncle would bring me to the store just right outside where we were living,' he began as he unwrapped his packet. 'He would ask me to take a moochi or an ice cream,' he continued, as he took a bite.
I wondered where he was going but then I found myself waiting for his story. He smiled before he continued talking.
'He told me that whenever I feel bad or sad over something, then I should get a moochi or an ice cream,' he said, making me face him and look him in the eye.
'Are you sad or feeling bad?' I asked, leaving the mochi he gave me in my hands, unopened. He placed his down, took the one from my hand, opened it and gave it to me. He went back to his and took another bite.
He smiled. 'I don't know, but I can't stand seeing you get hurt because of me.'
Oh no, what is he trying to say?
'I know Faith came up to you earlier and caused that gash on your arm. I'm sorry,' he said. 'I know that you may have doubts about what I said when I told you what I really felt for you a few weeks ago. We haven't even talked about it again.
But please know that whatever happens, I will protect you from her. Whether you give me a chance or not, because you are my friend,' he said. He stared on the table as I was digesting everything he said, and managed to stifle a small laugh. At least while he was not looking.
'Although,' he said softly. 'It would be better if we could be together.'
Hearing that made me laugh, taking all the worry I was feeling in an instant. I don't know why, but I guess the time has come.
'Geoff,' I called him. He slowly lifted his head and looked at me. He's really handsome, no doubt. He pursed his lips together and made a cute face which I know I cannot resist.
I smiled as I looked at him, then I said almost inaudibly.
'I'm saying yes to you.'