The Bet (Just The Way You Are)

The Bet *Contagious

If you want to know Sophia’s birthday, the history of the surnames of the characters, and your request about their picture, read the Author’s Note at the end of the chapter.

Thank you to all my new fans and to my old fans too! =D

 

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Chapter 14 *Contagious*

~Drake

“Thanks,” Pie says. 

I shrug like it doesn’t matter but in reality, it does.

There are only few people who aren’t always saying thank you but when they do, they really mean it. Pie is one of them.

I don’t know why I want to please her. Is it only for the bet? What else can it be?

I feel a little bit awkward towards her though, because I just put a blanket on her shoulders without her permission. I’m a guy; of course, I don’t want her to shiver in my presence. If this situation happens to other guys, they will just put their arms around the girl. I can’t do that. There’s no doubt that Pie will freak out. She might call me a maniac, a jerk, and well, more other names. That means I will have a hard time making her fall in love with me.

It’s funny how I can speak and act normally around Pie but in reality, I just do it for the sake of the bet. There comes a time when I wonder will I ever talk to her if not for the bet? Will I know that she exists?

Glancing at her beside me, I see she’s looking peacefully at the stars in the sky. I didn’t know she likes gazing at them. I realize that I don’t really know her. Well, I guess this is the getting to know each other part.

“Pie,” I say.

She doesn’t seem to hear me because she doesn’t respond when I call her name. I wonder what she’s thinking. She looks thoughtful staring at the stars above us. Does she even spare a thought of me?

Of course, says my subconscious mind.

As if, I thought sarcastically. To stop it from commenting more, I turn to Pie again.

“Pie,” I repeat. Our bare arms almost touch lightly because of the proximity of where we are sitting.

She yelps in surprise and looks startle.

A smirk forms on my lips. I guess I interrupt a major thought running inside her head.

“What?” she asks, and snuggles close to the blanket I gave her.

Does she really feel cold? Why don’t I feel it?

It’s because you’re numb.

Geez, stop it already! I think I’m going crazy with this voice inside my head.

What to say, what to say?

Clearing my throat, I start, “Are you comfortable in your room now?”

She looks taken aback with my question. I am either. It’s the first one to pop in my head.  Why can I easily think of an idea and a plan but cannot start a normal conversation?

“Yes,” Pie says finally. “Um, I can sleep peacefully now.”

“That’s good.”

“Thanks to you.”

She thanked me again! That’s two for tonight. “You are welcome,” I say.

After that, we don’t talk again. I chastise myself in my head. Why can’t I think of a decent topic? Like, what’s her interest? If I can keep her talking, I can get to know her personally. That will help me win the bet.