Once Upon A Twisted Fate

Twenty-One. - Betrayal

A million things were racing through my mind at the same pace as my heartbeat. In just those few seconds of having my eyes closed, everything suddenly started making sense. Every word Dillan had said was a confession structured and put into sentences in his very own way. He probably wasn’t the kind of guy that says what he feels straightforwardly, that’s why he was acting so strange. What did he say a minute ago? That he intentionally walked past the café every day just to see me? Of all the things a guy like Dillan could’ve done in his spare time, he chose to see me in the interim of this whole week. I smiled at that thought.

                With every passing nanosecond, Dillan’s breathing sounded louder and louder, to a point it felt like it was ringing in my ears. At the soft touch of his lips, just barely, the sound of my phone’s ringtone burst through my pocket. The smile I had before was totally wiped off upon hearing the racket. I tried ignoring it at first, but when I realized the kiss was not happening, I reopened my eyes and saw Dillan’s smiley face right in front of me, just inches away.

                “Come on, you gotta have a better ringtone than that,” he said with his fingers still on my chin.

                “Don’t you like the default ringtone?” I asked blankly, still irritated by my phone’s betrayal.

                “Um, aren’t you going to answer that?” he asked instead, ignoring my question, obviously equally aggravated.

                “Let’s resume what we were doing earlier, then I’ll answer it,” I said unabashedly.

                He let out laugh then went ahead to do what I requested. As I saw him leaning nearer to my face, I closed my eyes again. Disappointingly, he planted a soft peck on my cheek instead. “Now will you answer your phone? It’s so annoying,” he whispered in my ear and dropped his hands into his jean pockets.

                I sighed frustratingly and pulled out my phone in one swift move. Looking at the caller ID, I thought I would be even madder, but when I saw it was Matt, surprise took over, letting anger dissipate into oblivion.

                “Hello?” I answered.

                “Hey, Eryn it’s me. I was wondering if it’s okay for you to come over my house right now? You see, Cassandra’s parents are out for the night and my parents aren’t home right now, either. I find now’s a good time to talk about this… problem we have. What do you say?”

                I turned my head away from Dillan and talked in the softest audible tone I could manage as I didn’t want Dillan to hear a thing. Because the problematic past-me was related to Matt, I didn’t want him to know this Matt person ever existed in my life. Not now, at least. We’re just progressing. Who talks about their exes at the beginning of a relationship, right? Whatever relationship it was Dillan and I have right now…

                “I don’t think that’s such a good idea. Couldn’t we go to Cassandra’s place instead?”

                “I really don’t mean to trouble you, but um, my ankle isn’t in its best shape right now.”

                Oh right, I completely forgot. “Sorry, I wasn’t thinking. Wait, when did you get discharged?”

                “Just this evening. The doctor said there was no need for me to stay hospitalized, just that my ankle needs rest, so I don’t know if my driving is such a good idea.”

                “Right, right. So okay, your place it is then. I’ll just have to somehow talk my brother into it.”

                “Are you sure it’s okay? You sound agitated by the idea.”