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Chapter 16
Unavoidable
I could feel her eyes staring at me in the comfort room mirror. Why do they feel like daggers?!
"Celeste?ㅡ"
"Yes!" I immediately responded and accidentally made eye contact with her in the mirror. She then looked straight at me now.
"You can tell me anything." She furrowed worriedly.
"I know. . ." I sigh as I realized how silly I was. Why would I be nervous around her just because of a nightmare? "I'm alright." I breathed heavily and smiled at her.
Her eyes lightened after she heard my confirmation. "Are we still shopping for later?"
"Mhm!" As I smile, she smiles widely like she had saw the best thing today. It felt like she really did like me romantically.. It made me feel flusteredㅡ like I was blessed to be liked by her. She suddenly stepped away.
"Okay," She was about to leave when I suddenly reach for her arm and grabbed it.
"Wait.." I whisper with a distracted mind. "Where are you going?" Like a child clinging onto someone.
"For my last class? The school bell already rang." She explained and I snapped out of my void.
"Oh, right." I awkwardly stopped holding her arm. I really did not notice the bell ringing. Why am I so distracted today. . . ?
She just smiled dearly at me. "I'll wait for you at the gates, later."
I only nod at her as I stare out of nowhere; I got confused on what to react or feel if ever my assumptions of her liking me that way were ever real. This got me messed up bad. . . It feels like my heart was about to explode! I went to class quietly and was out of it. How can something like this mess me up so bad? I didn't feel like this when Zayn told me he liked me.. So, what was the difference?
It seemed like I had my last class with Zayn, since he suddenly is sitting right next to me. I assume the teacher got busy explaining things while writing on the blackboard.
"Me and my buddy, Don, are going to the mall too." He informed me. "Can we just. . . go along with you guys?"
"Oh? Okay." I said, still distracted.
"Are you okay?" He worriedly asked. "You seem out of it."
"I'm fine," I smile at him and he only nodded.
"You can ride with us to the mall, 'Leste." He laid his head on the desk while still looking at me.
"Mhm.." I lift my lips.
After the last class, we walked together 'til we were almost at the gates where Archer would be waiting. The entire time walking with him, I was quiet. Then, I saw her and my mood lit up.
"Arch-" I couldn't continue as my eyes widen from the surprise of how she's talking to a boy. "...Archer!" I smile and went closer to them. "Who's this?" I continued as I felt happy to know she made a friend other than me.
"This is Don." She almost seemed excited to tell. Don? Isn't that who Zayn's buddy is? "He's my childhood friend. Before I met you, we met first at kindergarten and he left right after kindergarten to go abroad with his family. It seems like he's back and it's my first time seeing him for such a long time." She smiled brightly whilst I nod.
"Okay," I pull up a slight smile.
"You got a bike?" Don remarked being amazed and she nodded.
"Yup." She proudly smiled and looked at me. We made eye contact and I froze for a moment and looked away.
"I want to go with you." Don told her.
"Really?" She was surprised. "Butㅡ"
"That's great, Celeste will go with me." Zayn put his arm around my shoulder. I sighed and looked at her; she looked. . . upset.
"It's okay, we'll still be seeing each other at the mall anyway." I smile and she only nodded and got everything ready for the both of them to ride the motorbike. As I head with Zayn to his car, I saw her wearing the red helmet instead of her own black helmet. I wonder why. . .
Zayn opened the cardoor to the passenger's seat for me and I immediately sat down and closed the door. He went way over to the driver's seat side to get in and he proceeded to drive me to the mall.
I didn't know Archer had a friend other than me, way before then. To be honest, I'm surprised and felt kind of replaced for a moment. I'm pretty sure this is just me being a protective best friend over her. . . I heaved a sigh.
The entire ride to the mall, we were so quiet. The atmosphere kept until we got into the mall. We walked side by side to the automatic mall entrance and I heard a boom! I looked beside me and it was Zayn; He got bumped into the glass wall next to the entrance.
"Woah, are you okay?" I awkwardly helped him up.
"Sorry, I didn't know I was about to walk into clear glass." He laughed and I laughed as well. Clumsy.
As soon as he saw me smile, he looked proud.
"I knew you could smile," He whispered as we both entered the mall.
"Of course I can. What made you think I wouldn't?" I raised my eyebrow with a silly smirk.
"The whole ride with you and right now at the mall, I was trying to think of ways to make you feel happy. Since, you were obviously down. ." He quietly explained. "I didn't know my clumsiness would make you smile. So, I'm glad."
I widen my eyes to his consideration. I chuckle.
"Pfft," I cover my mouth. "I didn't know you would be so considerate."
"To you, I will be." He looked down on the ground and smiled— like what Archer would do if she felt embarrassed or shy about something she'd say. He reminded me of her. . .
I immediately shrugged this feeling off. That was just a simple gesture and anyone else could feel to do it, so why would that remind me of her?
He checked his phone. "They're almost here. Let's wait over there." He pointed at a cat cafe. We went closer to the cafe and saw cats cuddling each other inside. I felt like he saw me peaking over the cats inside,
"You like cats?" He asked.
"No. . . I'm not a cat person. I'm allergic to them." I quietly told as I looked at them. "But, I know someone who likes cats." I added. Then again, it was her all over in my mind. . Even cats reminded me of her.
"I do." He implied. I didn't know what to say or do if he said he does like cats— because what would that connect to someone who loves dogs more than cats? and I'm even allergic to them. . "But, I'd also prefer spending my entire life with dogs around me rather than cats . . If it meant I had to spend my entire life with you."
"Oh? Okay. ." The atmosphere felt weird, our tension seemingly felt like we didn't connect anymore. I should feel like butterflies were swarming around me— I should be totally head over heels for him after what he just implied to me.. But, no. Rather I thought of something else. .
If I had to spend my entire life with Archer, even if she loved cats more than me— I'd want to have cats around me too, even if I'm allergic to them— If it meant just being with her.
I don't know what I'm thinking and why it's all about her, but what I know is. . . I just miss her too much, right now. And maybe this is because after knowing she might like me the way girls do to boys— it made me feel excited and . . I don't know anymore.
Then I felt someone touch the glass separating us and the cafe inside. I turned to see who it was and it was Archer. She looked cute when her eyes glimmered stars and her mouth was agape— looking obviously amazed by the cute cats.
I immediately went closer to her and clung onto her arm. I stared deeply at her as she stared at the cats.
"You're here!" I excitedly told and her attention went to me— her expression changed into a much-more adorable and excited look as she saw me. . Like she adored me far more than cats.
Her eyes were bright hazel and she looked like she really did see the best thing today. . and it wasn't a cat, but me.
"You too." She giggled cutely and smiled bright. Her once cold eyes were warm. All about her right now felt breathtaking.
Maybe I really do like her that way too. .