14 DAYS OF VALENTINE

Part 22: To always be this close...

Dear Diary,

I think I am falling for him. 

His smile, his laugh, the way he talks—it all makes my heart skip a beat.

***

"Hi!" I breathily answered the phone once I was inside my room. My heart was pounding like crazy. I'm not sure if it was because of the chase I played with Carrie back there or because the person I'd been waiting to speak with finally called.

"Hello kitty," came his magnetic voice from the other side of the phone, making my heart flutter and my face warm. I noticed that he like using different pet names on me. I liked it.

"Hi," I greeted again, my mind in a mush. I closed my eyes in embarrassment when I realized that I have repeated the same thing again and it did not help to hear his deep chuckle. His laughter was like music to my ears, and I couldn't help but blush more.

"Are you that flustered to speak to me?" I could hear the teasing tone in his voice, and I couldn't help but smile.

"Maybe a little," I admitted, feeling a bit shy.  I could tell he was not expecting me to be honest as there was a surprise silence on his side.

"I've been waiting for your call." I cleared my throat when he didn't say anything. I'm not sure what possessed me to be so open about my emotions, or why I was so sensitive to his every move.

Maybe it was because I have been alone for too long, or maybe it was because he has always been there for me since we met, or maybe it was because of the gift he gave me.

"I know, and I'm sorry it took me so long," he replied, his voice soothing like a cello. "I was busy and then thought you might be sleeping since it's late."

"Hah, yet you still called me." I scoffed, trying to hide the fact that I have been looking forward to his call.

"It was hard to ignore your plea in my dream. You were calling out to me, and I knew I had to reach out to you. I couldn't bear the thought of you feeling alone or abandoned." I chortled at his sense of humor.

"Couldn't you have dreamt of me in a less pathetic way?" I bit my lip, trying to control my smile. He chuckled on the other end of the line.

"I suppose I could have, but I don't think you would have wanted me to dream of you naked, would you?"

"My...aren't you a naughty dreamer?" I teased, feeling a blush creeping up my cheeks.

I bit my nails, my heart thumping as I picture him dreaming of me like that. I think I would like it better if I occupied his mind the same way he did mine. Another chuckle followed, and it felt like my heartstrings were being pulled like a puppet on a string.

There was silence on the other end of the line, and I waited for him to say something, but he did not. "I apologize for Carrie's behavior. She can be a little childish when she wants to." I broke the silence.

He chuckled softly. "I don't mind. I like her," he said, and my brows creased.

"You like her?" I asked carefully.

"Yep, she is likable..." he drawled. " Why? Can't I like your friend?" I felt a knot form in my stomach as I struggled to find the right words. I know Nick meant liking her as a friend, but I don't know what was wrong with me feeling this way. I mean, Carrie is a very likable person. I won't be surprised if Nick is attracted to her.

"No, it's not that... I mean, you are your own person, and you can like anyone that you want." I hurriedly fumbled with words, cursing myself in the process. I moved from the door, but not before checking that I had locked it in case my friends decided to snoop around.