Do Us Part

14. "Magic of the Love Garden"

Chapter 14

(15 years ago)

Natalie

It has been a week since my very embarrassing confession and I have cursed myself every second for walking up to him.

What was I thinking?

Of course, he doesn't like me. I'm just a really loud and overly playful girl in his Arithmetic class who he probably didn't notice until last week.

At the moment, I am at the school garden-like open area, which has been nicknamed the "love garden". It was the one place you will always find couples sitting together, anytime of the day.

  Today, the ambiance was the same - Many couples who were meeting up after classes- lots of kisses and hugs around me but I was still drowning in my thoughts, fumbling with my shoes, paying no attention to my assignment which is due in four hours.

My mind has been fully occupied by Sam for the past hour. We met for the first time since that day, today and we held eyes severally. I felt goosebumps all over my body and my heart fluttered constantly. It was so hard to ignore the fact that his team..he, in particular, stood in front of mine..and my team as we were taught firewall protection.

It was awkward. He was right opposite me and our eyes met quite often. I immediately looked away, each time, making me even more embarrassed.

"Do you need help with that?" I heard someone say something and looked up, my shoelaces unfastened.

When I saw who it was, I froze for a split second.

"May I have a seat?" He speaks once more. I'm starting to wonder whether I'm hallucinating this time.

"May I sit next to you?" He asks again, and still in shock,  I move aside to make room for him to sit.

I gazed at my shoes for a moment after he finished.

He didn't say anything for a while, so I sneaked a glimpse at him. He was staring at me and softly touching his nose, a behavior I've learned he does when he's worried.

Is he concerned about something?

Wait. Is he afraid to talk to me?

Woah. Calm down, man. Why woyld he?

Then, just as I was about to say anything, he apologized.

"Uhh?" I thought I heard wrong.

"I'm sorry for being such a jerk last week."

"Oh... I... it's OK."

"Is that correct? You referred to me as an asshole." His lips curled amusingly. With a smile, he teased me.

Hold on.
What is going on right now?

Is Sam, the boy I've always admired from afar, smiling...at me? It's either my fortunate day or I'm hallucinating.

I'll just live in the moment since the latter sounds more plausible.

Go on Fantasy Samuel.

" I am sorry, Natalie. I was just taken aback." He apologised again.

"It's cool. I get it. I would be freaked out if someone I don't know walked up to confess their feelings." I half laughed and he didn't say anything for a while.

"I know you well." He spoke up after sometime.

Huh?

"For longer than you know actually." He stares at me smiling. My face felt hot and I couldn't hide my smile and the goosebumps.

My God...reel it in Natalie!

"Will you go out with me this weekend?" He speaks up again.

Ok.

Hol' up

First, Sam freaking Sanderson just walked up to me to apologize and as if that wasn't freaking amazing enough, he just asked me out.

Wait a sec... He said, go out. Does he mean like a date?

"Yes. Like a date." He answers chuckling and I realised that I said that last part aloud. If there is a worse feeling than being embarrassed, it's what I feel at this moment.

"Is that a no?" I heard him say in a low voice, and my eyes widened a bit and I instantly turned to face him. "No, it's not. " He attempted to hide a smile but failed.

Woah. So thirsty.

Calm down Natalie. 

"I mean.. sure. I could eat." I composed myself.

"I didn't say we were going to eat."

"I..." Way to go, Natalie. Way to go. Now he knows you are a certified foodie.

"I'm just kidding." He shook his head with a smile and checks his wristwatch. "Ah...I have a class now so I'm gonna go."

"Right."

"Yes. I'll call or text you the details." He stands up and made to go.

"Wait. You don't have m.."

"I do have your number." He completes. Flashing his beautiful smile at me for one more lucky moment, he walks away, leaving my heart beating a thousand times faster.

As he heads out towards the classroom area, I notice Zoey coming towards me.

She stopped walking when he walked past her. He didn't seem to notice her though as he walked away, past her. Zoey stares at me and backs towards him and I chuckled as I know what she's thinking.

She hurries towards me and when she finally gets to where I am, she began. "Ok, tell me something. Am I just super tired or did I just see Sam and you talking and smiling?"

"What do you think?" I shrugged, laughing.

"Ummmm...you're glowing." She cooes and I blushed. "Ok, what did I miss? Tell me everything. From the start to the conclusion.

I nod happily and proceeded to tell my best friend.

-----

"Holly Molly..he totally has a thing for you."

"Ok. Let's not get ahead of ourselves. He just wants to eat." I blushed.

"Hmm..look at you all mushy. It's kinda gross.." She mutters in a serious tone and I pouted, "but I'm also very happy for you." She completed in a baby-like tone and I chuckled.

"But we have a problem."

"What?"

"You have nothing to wear."

"What? That can't be true. I should..." She gave me the 'look' and I sighed.

"What do I do?" I started worrying.

"Oh, I know...we are going shopping with your brother's card and. "

"You are so materialistic," I said, in a serious tone and she sighs. "But I love this idea." I complete and she grinned from ear to ear.

"Good. Let's make this mission a success." Our expression turned serious as we stared at each other, raising our folded fists in solidarity.

Game on Samuel!