Kiss The Stars

Chapter 13 Hello, Stranger

Chapter 13 ~ Hello, Stranger

The air is buzzing with excitement. Everyone is happy that the term is wrapping up and they can go to wherever they want to go and do whatever they want to do. It is summer after all. Someone just handed me a flyer for a party to be held on the last week of school.

If things were the same between me and Caleb, we would be attending parties together. He is not much of a party goer. If he ever attends one, he will hang out by the balcony or the roof top, preferring to be alone. I am always present to pester him and make him laugh. That is after we swiped a bottle of wine all to ourselves.

But our situation is different now. I’d be a fool if I do not see how things have changed between us. He is seeing Mia and my heart is broken. I actually thought it was me he loves or at least like. There are times before when we would hang out and he would look at me differently. He would look at me tenderly. It turns out that I was just imagining things because I wanted him to fall for me too.

I cannot bear to see Caleb and Mia together. The more I see them looking so happy together, the more I feel my heart breaking. I started staying away from the group except for Cate and Kendall. I would see them hanging out, playing their guitars or fooling around at the football field or the gardens but I would always make up excuses not to join them. I also avoid them in the dining hall, preferring to eat with some girls from my class instead.

No one has to know that Queen Elle’s heart was broken by Commoner Caleb. If my minions from prep school could see me now, they would not believe I am capable of loving someone as much as I love him.

I caught glimpse of the lovey dovey couple on my way to class earlier today. They seemed happy. They were laughing and talking. I felt a pinch in my heart because I wanted to be the one in Mia’s place. I want to be the one to make Caleb smile. I want to be the one to make him happy.

Well, he told me he would never fall in love so that his heart will never be broken. At that time, he had his heart broken by Ashley  - a mean, little rich girl who does not give a damn as long as she gets what she wants.

I used to be like Ashley, the heartbreaker not the cheater version. I think he still sees me as that. I cannot blame him if he fell for Mia. She is a good and simple girl. I am sure she will never break his heart. I will be content to stay away as long as she makes him happy.

I was walking back to the dorms while kicking some stones in my path when I heard someone call out. “Hey Fun-size.” Without turning, I knew it is Andy. I slowed down to let him catch up. Rather, let them catch up, because Cate is with him.

Andy is slightly breathless when he reached me. He jogged up to me while Cate is still walking like she is doing ramp modeling and no, you cannot make her hurry. The world is her ramp. The clown rested his arm on my shoulder. “I’ve missed you. We haven’t hanged out in a while.” He gave me a smile that still looks sad to me.

I tried to smile back but I think it looked more like a grimace. I actually miss being around him and the other clowns. “Let’s have a cup of coffee.” I linked my arm to his and Cate’s and steered them toward the café.

I have not laughed this much in a long time. Cate and Andy’s banter just cracks me up big time. They get into silly arguments and they have funny stories about their classes. I also almost choked on my cheesecake when I burst out laughing at Andy’s delivery of another Little Johnny joke.

“I am glad you’re laughing again.” Cate smiled at me meaningfully. Even if I speak to her and Kendall, I am aware that I am not the same Elle who is open and cheery. I just cannot find it in me to laugh or even smile. I am still saddened about how Caleb treated me after the concert even if I did not do anything wrong. We have not spoken again after that night.