Caught in the Middle

Why does this have to happen to me?! Chapter 17

Hi! Sorry I didn't upload yesterday! I got home late already. *sigh* Today, I had a Chinese test then tomorrow, a Chinese oral test... I don't even know the meaning of some of the questions! I'm gonna fail! :(( This week is my craft sale. As in, we sell stuff we made for a profit and we are graded on that. I hope it's a success! Fingers crossed! This is the first time I'm--we're going to sell something and keep the money so I'm nervous and hassled... :DAnyway, I hope you like this! :) Please comment, vote, fan! :D

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I blink at him blankly. "What?" What's with today and being so full of surprises?

"I mean, if you want to, you know, hang out and stuff." Cain blushes.

"Um, I...uh..." I seriously am speechless. What should I do? I can't very well say yes after the thing with Jess. Plus, we barely know each other. And I can't say no because that would hurt and embarrass him.

I guess I hesitated too much because Cain says sourly, “Fine. I can take a hint.” He stands up and I grab his shirt.

“I’m not saying no.” He looks at me hopefully. Argh, wrong thing to say. “I’m not saying yes too.” I add hastily. “I just…I need more time to think about it. I promise you, I’m gonna give an answer.”

“That’s just another way of saying no.” He begins to walk but I pull on his shirt, stopping him. He sighs and sits on the desk. I let go but not before seeing the shirt tight against his abs. I push that in the back of my mind. I’ll think about that later.

“I told you I just need time to think about it, okay?” Something flashes in Cain’s eyes and he bows his head.

“I’m sorry. I’m just not used to being asked that. Usually the girls are the ones taking care of that.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Well, I’m sorry for not being all over you.”

“No, no! That’s why I like you. You’re different.” His eyes widen, as if just realizing what he said. “I—uh, I gotta—um, go.” He stands up abruptly, his cheeks flaming, and he walks to the farthest corner, muttering to himself. Once he takes a seat, he bangs his head on the table again and again. I think I hear him saying idiot with each bang but maybe that’s just my imagination.

All I can do is stare after him. My mind is reeling and I feel so…confused by the feelings flooding into me. Do I…like him? I shake my head vigorously. No, that can’t be. I like Keith, not him. I mean, I do like him but not like like him, you know? Sure, he’s charming and handsome and—Argh! Stop it, Celene!

Why not give him a chance? He will certainly help you in getting over Keith, a voice says in my head.

I know but I can’t just go over and say yes! Not after what he did to Jess, I answer back.

Then ask her! She’s one of your best friends. Trust her. She’ll look after you. She won’t act all jealous.

You have a point there. Wow, so this is what it’s like to have a voice in my head. I thought it would be freaky but it’s not. This is so cool! Hey, are you my common sense? Because lately, you’ve been missing. You know, for about two, three years. Just so you know, I really needed you during the pie incident. And the chicken incident. And the—The voice snorts and laughs. So I made a lot of mistakes! That’s not my fault! I told you, you were absent when these happened so technically, it’s all your fault.

Yeah, blame the voice, why don’t you.

I am! Hmph! I can’t stop my lower lip from protruding. Great, I’m pouting. You can really tell I’m a hundred percent sane person.