Tinnie's POV
"What's wrong with you, Tinnie?"
"It's so uncommon to see you with a frown."
"What's happening, Cristina Rielle Cordova?"
"Where is our ranting machine?"
"It's a wonder you aren't rapping complaints today."
I ignored them and set my mouth to eat my hotdog, biting a little more complicated than needed as if it were their fault. Yesterday, I was still in the back of my mind. Ugh, seeing Ardy and Aki now is so annoying.
I whispered, almost not wanting them to hear, "Is it not meritorious to believe that Tinnie belongs with Tinnie?" Sounds conceited, but… I meant it. Is that Aki?" Chinny asked, her eyes narrowing as if everybody was zeroing in on me as if I'd just committed some unspeakable crime.
Seriously, is it Cruise?" Virgina whispered, wide-eyed, looking at me.
Their questions hung in the air, tugging at my already tangled thoughts one by one. I wanted to brush them off and act like nothing bothered me. But seeing Aki acting so causally after everything tore me like I was caught in some game I didn't fully understand.
I knew this was exactly how he'd act. How could she have a crush on Aki?
"What? Of course not." I protested, shaking my head dismissively.
"Really? Then why so defensive?" Apple said, sharp in words, teasing; she watched me closely.
"So, what's happening to me?" Aki's voice cuts into my conversation, and my eyes widen with surprise.
"Just nothing. Why don't you return to your acquaintance, Ardy?" I attempted to brush him off without appearing too upset as I snapped.
Sunshine came in closer, said, "I smell something fishy," and then arched an eyebrow.
"Ladies, I just need to borrow Tinnie for a while." Of course, he didn't wait for my friend's response but instead jerked his head toward the other room, gesturing for me to follow him.
"Oh, you can keep her. Don't bother bringing her back," Ayana called out with a smirk, waving her hand.
"Thanks," he answered suavely. Without faltering, he took me with him to the botanical garden.
A bizarre feeling of irritation and curiosity churned within me as we walked.
"What's yours?!
"Have you ever felt like you don't belong anywhere? The whole world around you keeps moving, but somehow, it's moving without you. I have felt that way since I can remember," he said, his voice dying almost as if he was talking with himself rather than with me.
"Huh? I don't know, that sounds weird," I answered, giving him a look of confusion.
"Look, if I like you, you're supposed to like me back, right? It's just respect. I like you, and you don't like me? That's messed up!" he said, suddenly yelling, as frustration became apparent in his eyes.
It felt too strange, like a twisted joke, and it was not hilarious.
"I will not let you go easily. We will pursue our aspirations together, side by side. Let's show that lasting love still exists in this world of betrayals and heartbreak," he said quietly, almost exposing his weakness.
"Aki, I don't understand you."
"Tinnie, don't I stand a chance? I could change if that is how I come across to you. I will be that ideal fictional character if that is what you want me to be. I will even try to compete with Peter Kavinsky from To All the Boys I've Loved Before trilogy-you seem to be stuck on him lately. Just. please." My voice started to quake, and my eyes smarted as if the unshed tears were crystallizing. "Give me a chance."
I am not supposed to attach to people.
"Please," he whispered, tugging me closer. "Be mine, only mine." My breathing seized the moment his arms came around me, warmth somehow both comforting and terrifying.
"If I fall, will you catch me?" I whispered, trying to raise my voice. It's a reasonable risk to take. The greater the risk, the higher the return. And if it doesn't work out, it is what it is. At least we tried. I steadied my breathing as I rationalized myself with reasons that it wouldn't be OK. This is going to be OK.
He then stared at me then, his eyes glinting with gravity. "No. But I'll be right beside you when you are falling. And if you fall hard, I'll be there holding you."
I held my breath, my heart pounding with this daring question, "Is it selfish to want you to be only mine?"
"Of course," he said, his voice low and firm. "I'm all yours to keep and to own."