A Loser's Guide to be Noticeable

22: Take Time to Celebrate Success

Leaving Jaeden there was, perhaps, a good decision. He didn't need me, after all. Besides, there was no way he would talk to me around people we know. My fingers were itching to leave him a message. A simple "Congratulations," maybe? But I stopped myself.

After dodging almost every question that Lawrence threw at me, I was back at the house. We got dinner and then I changed to my pajamas before slumping on my bed while staring at the ceiling.

My body was still vibrating from the excitement, my mind was flashing the events. But why I didn't feel happy? Like something was lacking.

I sighed. I really needed to stop this stupid crush I had on him. Other than it was pointless, I didn't want to have feelings for my ex-best friend, not to mention he bullied me. How ridiculous was I?

I sighed again.

Rolling side by side, and then put a pillow on my face, shouting: stupid, stupid, stupid, so many times. When my throat turned into sandpapers colliding that I couldn't shout, I changed it by slamming my head on my mattress. Until I got tired and closed my eyes, falling asleep.

I woke up at my phone buzzing. Blinking, I grabbed and saw Jaeden's name. He was calling me. As if my sleepiness flew out of me, I sat straight and answered my phone.

"Hey." I winced when I said it breathlessly.

"I've been calling and texting you--"

I cleared my throat, raking my hair. "Obviously, I was sleeping. And it's" -- I glanced at my alarm clock -- "10:56 in the evening. Where people are already asleep, especially after a long night."

"Can't sleep." There was a pause. I could hear him smiling.

"Why are you calling me?"

"I'm outside of your house."

That made me stand and walk at my window. And there he was, standing outside, looking up at me. He was still in the clothes I chose for him.

I tried to sound annoyed as I sighed. "Why are you there?" I bit my lower lip as I closed my curtain and went to my closet for a jacket.

"Can you come down?"

When I found a decent one, I slipped it on my arms while I didn't remove my phone from my ear. It was not easy, but I managed. "Why?"

"Just come down for a minute." Then he hung up.

I looked at the mirror, fixing myself. My hair was like a bird's nest, I tried to flatten it, but it was resisting.

"Whatever," I grumbled before I went downstairs toward the main door without making a noise.

When I opened the door, I didn't say anything. Jaeden was smiling, holding two cans of beer and a bag of chips.

He jerked his head at our shoe rack. "Put your shoes on."

"Why?" I whispered before biting the inside of my cheek to stop myself from smiling.

"Just put on your shoes." I made him wait a little longer. Jaeden chuckled. "Come on. I'm not going to do anything."

I rolled my eyes, trying to look agitated. Then I put on my tennis shoes. When I walked outside and closed the door, Jaeden turned and started strutting at God-knows-where.

The weather was cold and peaceful. I put my hands in the pocket of my jacket. It was starless. Only the moon and the streetlights protected us from darkness. Crickets were singing, but the trees were tired of dancing. It should be an eerie night. I should be worried that Jaeden planned something to bring me to my final destination, but he looked so full of joy that it didn't matter. From his back, my eyes roamed to his butt. Round and firm--