The One That Matters (complete)

Chapter 12

   In the parking lot, I spotted Chris’s red truck nearby. Chris was just sitting there in his truck with his eyes closed. I panicked. Did he passed out? God, please no. I knocked on his passenger window and luckily he opened his eyes instantly. I signalled Chris to open the door. Once I heard the truck’s door unlocked, I got onto the passenger seat. We sat there silently at first, both not knowing what to say.

  “How could you even went out with a guy like that?” Chris broke the silence. Then, he looked at my bruises. “I’m gonna make him pay for hurting you!” He hit his steering wheel to get his anger out.

  I examined his face. His lips were bleeding and his right eye was swollen. I’m pretty sure his body is bruised badly too. My heart ached for him. How could he worry about my tiny bruise when he’s the one in pain? I recalled the fight just now. He fought skilfully as if he’s been fighting all his life. I took out a tissue paper from my handbag and dabbed the blood on his lips. He winced from the pain. The pain that was caused by Brock. By me.

  “I so sorry.” Tears were already streaming down my cheeks. “This is all my fault and I-” He placed a finger on my lips.

  “Don’t blame yourself. In fact, I should thank you.” He wiped the tears on my cheeks away with his thumb. “Because of you, I’m finally satisfied with that asshole.” He chuckled. “Now how the hell am I gonna explain to my parents about this?” He checked his reflection on the rear view mirror.

  “That’s simple!” I took out my make-up kit from my bag. “There’s nothing a little concealer and powder couldn’t do.” I applied some on his face until the bruises were barely noticeable.

   Once I’m done, Chris checked his reflection again. “Damn! That’s amazing! I need to get me some of those!” He joked.

   I laughed. He gave me his signature lopsided smile. A smile that could melt any girl’s heart. We stayed that way for a while, just staring into each other’s eyes. Then he leaned in closer. So close that I could feel the hotness of his breath on my lips. This is it I thought. He is finally going to kiss me!

   But then he whispered, “You should probably get going.” He pulled away from me and cleared his throat as if that would clear the awkward atmosphere too. “Adam would be worried about you.”

   I tried to hide the disappointment from my face. “You’re right. So...uh...see you around then?” I asked.

  “Sure. You are my buddy for a week after all. Thanks for the make-up.” He grinned but his smile didn’t reach his eyes. His eyes almost looked...sad.

  I got out of his truck and made my way to my car. While walking, I can’t help but think about what happened just now. The way he kept looking at my lips and kept leaning closer made it seem like he was going to kiss me. In fact, I’m really positive that he wanted to kiss me! I definitely felt the chemistry there. But what’s stopping him? Maybe he’s just not that into me like any other guy in Beverly Hills is. What is wrong with him?