D*mn it, Maria!

23◕⩊◕ After Party

When Maria left the party first, his father only said one word—"Disappointing."

A single word, but with more than one meaning.

Caleb went home early, too. He stopped by the gate and crossed the street.

"Miss Ya-Ya doesn't want to talk to you, she said," a voice informed him right after he rang the doorbell.

As if he wanted to talk to her. There was nothing more he desired for the night than to express his rich vocabulary for curses and tell her that she had been spoiled rotten.

"Fine." He made a sharp turn toward his house.

"Sir, please wait." The gate opened, and a maid handed him the empty plate and the fork Maria brought from the party. It's impressive how she was able to take home hotel property. "She said you can wash them yourself." Then the maid closed the gate.

"Fine!" He repeated and marched back. He could report her for theft and violence. It dawned on him that he carried the plate up to his room. He placed it on the side table and shut the blinds facing her window.

----------- ᨐᵉᵒʷ -----------

Midnight passed and Caleb was still awake, grinding his teeth, in a foul mood that could rival any haunting vengeful spirit.

His phone rang iwth Maria's name on the screen. He ignored it. Hah! Who's restless now? Not him. After the third unanswered call, she sent a text.

Can't sleep. I'll be coming over.

He cursed and sat up and called her instead.

[Mon-Mon] She answered on the first ring.

"What do you want now?"

[Aren't you gonna say sorry?]

How dare her. "Never."

[Why?]

"What why?"

[Why aren't you gonna apologize?]

"Coz it's not my fault."

[Yes it is.]

"No, it isn't."

[Yes.]

"No."

[Yes.]

"N–" He stopped and took a deep breath. "Are we going to be like this until morning?"

[Yes.]

He gave up. "Why are you still up?"

[Coz I know you're still awake too.]

"How did you know?"

[Coz I'm awake too. It's the first time we fought since we dated. So, it's a big deal. That's why I know you can't sleep thinking about it too.]

He couldn't tell her it was a hoax. After all, he admitted that he had limited knowledge of relationships. For starters, this was his first . . . And how badly he wanted it to end.

[I'm glad we didn't hit each other. Violence is bad.]

"You punched me."

[Does it hurt?]

Of course, it did. "No."

Silence.

"Hey."

[Yeah?]

"That girl from the party, why did you punch her?"

[Nothing. They just called me a cat.]