You Make Me Feel

31. you make me feel

AGNES

After we return from our shopping sprees, Felix and I sit outside my house while the others stay inside unpacking the stuff we bought. Till now, I still find myself adjusting to the reality that we are this friendly.

"You said you intended to get something weird for your friends on Christmas. I'm really curious though. Let us assume today is Boxing day, and you are to give us a gift, what would that be?"

"Perhaps I'll give Yvonne a makeup kit, and give Tessa a um... I don't know yet. What hasn't she gotten before? She practically has everything."

"A surprise hamper perhaps," he suggests.

"Yeah! That's right! A hamper basket should be perfect."

"And Xian?"

"A packet shirt."

"Ronald?"

"Maybe a wristwatch? I really don't know what he likes."

"And me?"

"Wow!" I chuckle, "that will be a tough one."

"Huh! Am I that hard to please?"

"Don't be stupid! Of course I don't know about you either. We just became friendly. You don't expect me to know your likes and dislikes."

"Hm. Fair enough."

"So, what about you? What would you get me? You've basically been on my trail since the year began, surely, you'd have something in mind."

"It's true that I've been trying to win your trust, so... I'm leaving it as a surprise."

I feel a lavender haze creeping on me intensely, blinding my logical reasoning. It feels good, but I'm not supposed to be this invested on a newly found friendship, especially if the person was a fiend I couldn't tolerate. My friends were right. This is happening way too fast and I was caught up in the moment.

"We should get back inside."

"Yes, we should."

But none of us actually does. A blush comes for me so fiercely we get tied together with a smile as we both look each other in the eyes. Instead of letting him see me this flushed and assume I am falling for him, I turn away then stand up to enter the house.

FELIX

Shortly after Agnes goes in, I follow suit to join others sitting together in the living room, while aunty Cherry bakes brownies for six of us.

Tessa speaks up, "I was wondering, don't we all think we should have a special hangout, rather than coming here every time?"

Everyone turns their eyes to her. Agnes strives to reject. "Hey, hold on, I'm okay with you guys coming over."

"True. But there is nothing like a favourite spot to just chill and have a relaxing time."

What they're talking about is tottering towards the surprise I have for Agnes...

And it's a surprise!

For Agnes!

And Agnes is here!

I lowkey gesticulate in aunty Cherry's direction, and she quickly deciphers my secret message.

"But how are we going to like... you know, have it as our own? It won't be long before we all go our separate ways after graduation."

"Don't be such a killjoy!" Tessa fires at Agnes.

"Tessa's right. I actually like that idea," Yvonne adds. "One day, Agnes might get sick of us, and then decide to shut her door."