Eunice's POV
I buried everything that happened yesterday in oblivion and happily walked into school. I carried the cake that Mom and I baked together to give to Arcus. Mom knows I have a crush on Arcus. She told me it's normal for teenagers to feel this way but reminded me that if it ever hurts, I shouldn't allow myself to be foolish.
As soon as I got out of the car that dropped me off, I headed straight to the gate. I saw Arcus talking to a man in his mid-40s. The man had his hand on Arcus's shoulder, whispering something to him. Arcus only nodded in response, devoid of any emotion. I stopped walking and waited for the man to leave. Before getting into his car, he looked at me and smiled.
Arcus stood there, not moving, so I approached him with a smile on my face.
"What do you need?" he asked as I stopped in front of him. He started to walk away, so I followed him.
"I have something to give you," I said.
He turned to me, frowning, and he looked really handsome. The buzz cut suited him, and the line on his brow made him appear more rugged.
"I told you to stop bothering me," he said angrily, his eyebrows meeting in the middle.
It hurt me every time he pushed me away, but I still like him. I will stop when I got tired of chasing him and once we graduated senior high school.
"I won't bother you, I promise," I said, raising my right hand while holding the cake box with my left.
"You've said that so many times, yet you still bothering me," he replied, seemingly trying to contain his anger.
"It's fine if you push me away, just please accept this cake that Mom and I baked. It's delicious," I said, holding out the box to him.
He only glanced at the box I was holding and then looked back into my eyes. I couldn't read his thoughts.
"It's chocolate flavor; that's your favorite, right?" I said shyly.
His brow furrowed deeper as he scratched his neck and looked at me again. His copper-colored eyes seemed to be judging my entire being. There was no hint of joy on his red lips, and his thick eyebrows were almost connected.
"Eunice, what part of what I said you do not understand?" he asked.
I couldn't answer because I didn't know what to say. I was left speechless, my tears almost spilling over.
"For f*ck's sake. I told you to stop giving me things and stop talking to me!" he shouted in anger. I noticed people turning to look at us, but since it was still early, there were only a few around.
"You didn't have to shout. D-do you not like chocolate cake?" I asked, trying to hold back a sob.
"Eunice, please. While I'm still able to be patient with you, while I'm still being nice, just end this," he said again.
I shook my head, trying to stop my tears from falling.
"Wh-why did you even help me? Why did you say I was beautiful? Why did you befriend me in the first place? Why did you make me feel important to you?" I whispered as my tears started to fall.
I felt him grab my arm and pull me toward the back of the building.
"I'm sorry if you misinterpreted everything I did for you back then. I helped you because I knew you needed help. I befriended you because I thought you didn't have any friends," he answered my earlier question.
"I expect. I thought you would like me even though I'm chubby."
He took a deep breath, but I didn't know what he did since I was looking down.
"I didn't lead you on; I never said you should expect anything. Eunice, you are not ugly, and you're definitely not fat. You're beautiful. So if you believe me, don't force yourself onto someone who doesn't value you," he whispered.
"But I like you," I said.
"I don't like you," he replied.
I felt him walking away from me, and my young heart began to shatter piece by piece. It really hurts when someone makes it clear that you're unwanted.
I wiped away my tears and headed straight to our room. As I passed by Arcus' room, I saw him hunched over, and his classmates weren't there yet. I quietly entered and placed the chocolate cake that Mommy and I made. This is the last time i'm doing this, I promise.
I quietly stepped out and looked out the window to watch him, but suddenly he lifted his head and saw the box of chocolate cake that almost fell. He glanced around, so I quickly ducked down. He got up and walked straight to a trash can near the door. I watched as he threw it away and then sprayed alcohol on his hands as if the chocolate cake I made was a virus.
"You're so cruel, Arcus," I whispered while crying.