Red's Desire - Sweet Glances Ver.

Chapter 9

A crystal-clear sunny day is a gorgeous spectacle to behold. The sun shines brightly in the blue sky, casting its warmth and brilliant rays of light down upon the earth. A soft breeze may be felt rustling through the grass and trees as a warm summer breeze carries the sweet fragrance of flowers and greenery. The sky is a vibrant, brilliant blue, and one can spot a scattering of soft white clouds scattered across its expanse. For such wonderful day, a raven-haired young man sat on a wooden bench. He lets out a soft sigh, his cheeks still red in embarrassment. He could not believe he had done something that only made them feel awkward when they were near each other. Fred sincerely wanted to speak to her, but it seems like he used up all his bravery at that moment he shared with her. He took a glance at his friend, brown skin and (a bit) curly dark hair and a fine smile drawn on his face. Miguel was laughing along with a group of people he just met. Fred found it quite strange how someone could become friends with somebody so fast and easily, especially befriending so many people at the same time.

"Has your throat finally gone sore?" Robert said as he leaned back. Fred shook his head, "No, I'm just not feeling well." "Hm, that's what you say every day." "Really?" "No."

"Seriously, I don't feel very well." "You got a fever? Or... Do you feel uncomfortable about what happened earlier? Or are you missing someone and you can't seem to handle being away from them?" Fred turned his head to Robert, "How'd you know?" "Yep, you're infatuated, my friend."

"No, I meant the first one."

"You have a fever?"

"No, next to that."

"You feel uncomfortable?"

"Yeah."

Robert looked at him in disbelief, "Bro, it's all over your face."

Robert's remarks made Fred wonder if he really was that easy to read or maybe it was just his friend. He's not quite sure how to approach her but he'll soon maybe know how once he sees her, because somehow, even a single glance on her face makes him feel strange. He's sure that he liked her, yes. However, as time passed, he somehow can't stop thinking about her, almost as if he can't bear being apart from her for even a minute. The same happened earlier at the Antique Shop. He couldn't embrace that he had to leave without her, what was wrong with him? Lovesickness? Is he being desperate? "Now you look like you're planning something evil. What's up, bro? I don't want you going around ruining stuff." Robert's voice snapped him back to reality, making him flinch. "Seriously man, you've been acting weird, did you forget your pills or something?" "My...what?"

Their conversation was interrupted by Miguel as he smiled at them brightly, "Are you guys ready to go back?" He said, still grinning like a happy idiot. "Yeah, let's just go." Robert took hold of the box--where the Handmade Wooden Secret Trinket Box was-- and stood up, he gestured to Fred to follow them and Fred did. His shadow followed his every step as his mind wandered off somewhere else. With every step he took the more he wanted to see her. What was wrong with him? He'll see her soon at the prom so why be so impatient? Those were the questions he couldn't answer. Feeling the need for her embrace, he wanted to feel the same warmth he felt when he pulled her close, their body pressed gently against each other's, it was like a dream come true. Unfortunately, his lips landed softly on top of her head, he was quite disappointed, yes. However, a hint of relief washed over him when he remembered he only kissed her head, not her lips even though his curiosity of feeling her lips touching his was growing each day, he couldn't see her or even her voice, her voice would be enough to make him daydream of being with her even if his imagination wasn't as wide.

"Are you ok?" A female's voice pushed him back to reality. Lifting his head slowly, his heart skipped a beat; his cheeks began to flush as he stared at the girl beside him. As if the universe stopped time to give him a chance to gaze at the girl he was looking at. "Y-yeah, I'm fine... Thanks for asking..." He replied with a gentle smile, his eyes staring at hers full of affection. His gentle smile made his friends wonder if he has finally gone mad.

"Yo, you ok bro?"

"Huh-"

Fred snapped back to reality, he was looking directly at Miguel, "I-... Oh god..." Fred began looking away slowly, his skin cheeks turning red as he felt embarrassment rising inside him. "Sh*t, sh*t, sh*t." He turns his head somewhere else. "Man... You're making us feel concerned for ya," Miguel muttered as he leaned back on the car seat. They were already in Mr. Salazar's car yet he didn't even notice. "Nope, he's not going crazy." Bernard chuckled. "Or is he? I bet you didn't notice I was here." "I.. didn't notice."...

"..."

"..."

"..."

"..?"

Silence filled the atmosphere; Bernard cleared his throat and broke the silence. "So, I'm guessing someone is thinking about someone." Robert lets out a soft chuckle. "Me?" Fred asked the noticeable. "No, we're talking about the driver." Bernard answered sarcastically.

"Where are we heading?" Fred asked as he leaned back and averted his gaze outside the car's window, "We're heading to my house." The words that left Miguel's mouth made Fred's ear perk and look at him instantly. "My sister won't be there." And he returns his gaze outside the window.