Currently, I have a strong desire to escape from all of this, but unfortunately, I am aware that I have to face it. Skipping school tomorrow is not an option for me, especially since we have a physics project presentation. It's even worse because now I have to face, I have to face him and I cannot even stop thinking about our kiss. That perfect kiss.
I need someone to talk to about this, but who can I trust? I don't know anyone who can help me with this situation. Should I confide in my mom? No, I can't burden her with this. Lavy? Not a good idea. She can't keep anything to herself and rumours about me and Ray kissing is the last thing I want to deal with.
Dany? No, he just returned and I am not comfortable sharing this with him yet. Besides, how do you tell the person you spent your entire childhood crushing over that you kissed the most popular guy in school?
So, I'm all alone. That's just who I am—a loner. I don't even have someone to share my sorrows with.
Just great.
Finally, I decide to turn on my phone.
Missed calls:
Ray - 15
Dany - 9
Mom - 4
Messages:
Ray - 10
Dany - 2
What? I need some time alone to figure things out. Sometimes you just want to sit by yourself and reflect on how you ended up here, right?
"Princess, I need to talk to you."
Raymond
"Where are you? I searched the entire school."
Raymond
"Okay, now you're making me worried, Soaf. Where are you?"
Raymond
"If you happen to be at home, please let me know. I want to talk to you, princess."
Raymond
The rest of the messages were him asking where I am. I don't think he came home to search for me; otherwise, he would have found out.
Then there was a message from Daniel.
"Kim, did you leave school early? You didn't even bother to tell me? Is everything alright? Raymond was asking for you."
Dany
"I'm coming! Keep that window open."
Dany
I glanced at the window and realized it was already open.
My mind is still racing, filled with questions that are causing me pain.
Am I overreacting?
Maybe. Or maybe not.
Come on, you can't blame me. He stole my first kiss.
I was still lying on my bed, lost in my thoughts, when I suddenly notice Dany entering my room through the window. I turned to face him and there he was, his face softened, his brows furrowing with genuine concern as he looked at me. The lines of worry etched on his forehead spoke volumes about his care for me. It was evident that he was genuinely worried about me and wanted to know what had happened.
I couldn't help but appreciate his concern, the way he seemed to be searching for answers in my eyes. There was a warmth in his gaze that offered solace, assuring me that I wasn't alone in this bewildering situation. In that moment, I realized how lucky I was to have someone like Dany by my side, someone who cared enough to run to me once he knew I was going through something.
I was wrong all this time. Daniel Anderson was here and he was here for good. My childhood best friend was back, he who cared enough to embrace my pain as their own.
His stormy gray eyes lock onto mine, growing dark and intense. He was wearing dark blue jeans and a V-neck black shirt that accentuates his muscles and abs.
I remained still.
"Are you out of your mind, Kim!" he said fiercely.
I gave him a confused look. I knew he's here for me, but telling him about the kiss just didn't feel right.
"What's up, Dany?" I asked with a raised brow.
"What's up? Don't you dare ask me what's up, Kim. You skipped school. That's something you never do. It's my first day of school and I already have a lot to catch up with. We have half our classes together, Kim, and I almost missed all of them because I was searching for you! So don't pretend like nothing's wrong because I know something is. Just tell me what happened?", Dany said, his voice brimming with fervor and frustration. A profound silence settled between us, allowing his words to reverberate in the air.
I liked my lips, bracing myself to lie to him. "Umm... I-I..." I couldn't finish. I wanted to tell him about Raymond and how he made me feel. About that perfect kiss, one which I had only read about in books till now. The tingling sensation I get every time me and Raymond are in the same room.
To my rescue, someone knocked on the door. I glanced up at Dany as a surge of fear coursed through me, dreading that the knock on the door might be Raymond's. Acting swiftly, I brought my index finger to my lips, imploring Dany to maintain absolute silence.
"Soaf, is everything alright?" a voice called out from behind the door, instantly recognizable as my mother's. Relief washed over me as I thanked the heavens that it was her.
"Yeah, Mom. I'm fine," I responded promptly, my words carrying a hint of reassurance.
"Raymond came looking for you. Did something happen? He seemed quite concerned. I wasn't sure if you wanted to speak with him, so I let him know you weren't home," Mom explained, her voice laced with a mix of curiosity and concern.
A sigh of relief escaped my lips, momentarily easing the tension that had gripped me. However, as I turned my attention back to Dany, I noticed a discerning gaze fixed upon something in the room. Dread washed over me, realizing that he was on the brink of uncovering the truth.
In that moment, it felt as if the ground should open up and swallow me whole, sparing me from the impending revelation.
"Thanks, Mom. I'll catch up with him later," I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper.
"Yeah, I kind of figured that out," Mom replied, her sigh carrying a hint of resignation. She continued, her voice filled with genuine concern, "Soaf, my dear, you know you can tell me about anything, right?"
I nodded, my response muffled by a sense of apprehension. "Yes, Mom. I'll be okay."
With that, Mom sighed once again before bidding me goodnight and gradually retreating from the room. Left alone with Dany, the weight of the unspoken truth hung heavy in the air, palpable and suffocating. Realizing that the secret was now exposed, courtesy of my mother's words, I knew there was no turning back.
"I can see the thoughts racing through your mind," I confessed, my voice trembling with uncertainty. "It's... it's about Raymond."
"What about him?" his voice reverberated with anger, his frustration palpable.
"Um... he... he tried to kiss me," I finally managed to say, my words escaping in a hesitant whisper.
"WHAT?" Dany's voice boomed, echoing the shock that consumed him.
"Yeah, we were doing a mock run for our presentation in the classroom on the fourth floor, and he tried to kiss me," I recounted, revealing the unsettling incident. The truth gnawed at me, urging me to disclose that I had kissed Raymond back, that my mind had been consumed by thoughts of him ever since. But my instincts warned me against it.
Dany's concern seeped through his anger as he questioned, "Was he trying to force himself? Because I sure as hell will kill that bastard for it."
"No, Dany, please don't make things more difficult for me," I pleaded, defending Raymond against his fury. "He didn't force himself on me, I swear. It was just a misunderstanding. That's all."
"Please, Dany, promise me you won't do anything, okay? And just so you know, I didn't kiss him back," I asserted, locking my gaze with his, hoping to reassure him.
Yes, it's a difficult situation. Not only because of what happened between Raymond and me, but because a part of me desired it. At the same time I didn't want to be just another girl Raymond was fooling around with. A mere casualty of his charms. If anything the school's gossip mill would ignite, spreading like wildfire. The worst part is, if Raymond doesn't reciprocate my feelings, everyone will know that I was merely a pawn in his game, a girl who fell for his allure.
Anger consumed Dany's face, just as I had anticipated. I knew this revelation would trigger a storm, yet my predictions faltered. Instead of acting impulsively, he approached me, taking a seat beside me, offering solace in his presence. I nestled my head against his shoulder, and he began to speak.
"Kim."
"Hmm?"
"You know he has feelings for you, right?" he uttered, his words catching me off guard.
I stared at him, mouth agape, grappling with how could he have known? It had only been two days since he came back. Could it truly be that obvious?
If it is, then maybe Raymond has also picked up on it. Damn it.
"How can you be so sure?" I inquire, still perplexed by Dany's claim.
Dany leans closer, his voice barely above a whisper. "Trust me, Kim. It's written all over his face. The way he looks at you, the concern in his eyes, and the way he went searching for you. It's undeniable."
I contemplate his words, a mix of hope and apprehension swirling within me. Could it be true? Could Raymond actually have feelings for me?
"But I am glad you don't reciprocate his feelings. He's not good enough for you, Kim", Dany said as hir arms around me tightened. "No one is", he said.
"So I am supposed to be single forever?", I let out a chuckle.
"Until you find the right person. And who knows, Kim. Maybe the right guy was there all along."
"Maybe", I replied as my thoughts ran back to the fleeting moments I shared with Raymond. The way his eyes beamed when he smiled. His haughty smirk and the way he called me Princess. The fact that he remember to put Almond milk in my Mocha the other day at his house.
Maybe.
"You can always count on me, Kim. I am here for you," Dany chimed, continuing to offer comfort as I slipped on my shoes. "You don't have to be my knight in shining armor," I replied.
"I'm just trying to be your best friend," Dany shrugged, his shoulders lifting.
"A best friend who ghosted me for three years," I sternly replied, my face expressing my disappointment.
Dany glanced at the door, feigning ignorance to my words. But I knew he heard. "I'll wait for you in the car," he said, making his way towards the door. Daniel and I were headed to our favorite coffee shop, situated on the outskirts of town near the beach. Ever since we were eleven, we enjoyed riding our bikes to the café, witnessing the captivating sunset from its patio.
We had grown up since then, and our bikes had been replaced by an E-Class Mercedes, while our carefree demeanor had given way to hesitant glances.
I pressed my fingers to my lips, recalling the sensation of Raymond's soft and tender lips on mine, the initial gentleness escalating into an urgent longing.
"Dany," I said, diverting my gaze to the road ahead.
"Yes?" he replied, briefly turning his attention to me, his right hand gripping the steering wheel while his left hand rested out the window.
"What am I supposed to do now?" I asked, a tinge of concern in my voice. This question had been troubling me for a while.
He chuckled in response. "What can you do? You're adorable, Kim," he said rhetorically.
I couldn't grasp why he was saying that. Confusion etched across my face, to which he responded with a smug smile, his eyes becoming enigmatic.
"I'll help you out. You don't have to face it alone," he reassured me. I wasn't sure if I felt more relieved or annoyed by his offer. I was perfectly capable of confronting Raymond on my own. Besides, regardless of what Daniel said, I didn't believe Raymond harbored any genuine feelings for me.
****
Hey Guys
Another update. I'm extremely sorry for the late update though. I've been receiving messages from you guys about update. So please accept my apologies. I love you guys. Enjoy reading.
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