Cliché But Not Too Cliché

chapter five

As we stood there in the cold night air. But it was quite warm around me. The radiating anger from hijabi assaulter warmed me right up to my toes.

The fancy interior of the restaurant didn't make her any less unhappy. We looked oddly out of place in all the nicely dressed couples.

There was Me, dressed in a plain gray hoodie , paired with black pants with my metal framed glasses.

Meanwhile she was dressed in a milky white turtleneck, paired with black formal pants that hugged around her legs, folding at the perfect places.she also wore a baby pink overcoat and hijab to pull it all together.

When we sat in one of the more private corner seats( courtesy of hijabi assaulter). She took off her overcoat as she was saying, "it's quite warm in here, right?"

I just silently nod. For some reason she looked surreal with the warm restaurant lights falling on her. The slow classical music in the background added to the ordeal.

I couldn't contain myself and finally asked, "you didn't think this was a date, did you?".

"Why would you think that.", she said, a frown creasing her features.wait, she doesn't think I thought this is a date, right!? "It's just, that you dressed up nicely so", I said quickly so she didn't get the wrong idea.

"Well, you don't have to be sky high, I always dress like this", she said putting her nose up in the air. Why did this little thing look so adorable. Wait what am I thinking!?

After I was done fighting with my inner thoughts. The thing she said came to my mind. I could feel the taste of uncomfortable jealousy as I asked, "you dress up like this everywhere?"

"Yes and order what you want, we have to go back by ten", she said, averting my eyes and looking at the menu. I also look at the menu, and damn! They have prices like they are selling houses not food. I now kind of feel bad for her.

So I chose the cheapest meal, two plates of alfredo pasta and soda. Even that cost 300 dollars !

After the food arrived. We started our meal. She sighed and said, "I've never paid so much for pasta and soda." I look up from my plate and say, " well you have to try something in life once in a while". "Even if it hurts your wallet", I Added quickly after seeing her glare.

" You should not glare at people, if you don't want them to have a heart attack, oh wait your face does the same thing", I mocked, not looking up from my food. "If you need a mirror, go to the bathroom, because I'm not one", she retorted.

I both liked and hated the way she rolled. Then we both fell into awkward silence.

To break the awkward silence, I asked, "why did you agree to give me this treat". She just stares at me at first but then says, " well I once got suspended for something I didn't even do".

Hearing this made me boil with rage. "Why didn't you tell them the truth", I said, trying to keep my tone even as it wasn't her fault. "Well the people who got me suspended were pretty big and nobody would listen to a young nobody like me", she said, giving me a broken chuckle while averting my gaze.

I felt a pang of guilt in my stomach. This girl thought I was suffering through the same thing. I Knew the right thing would be to tell her the truth. But I didn't.

I was never the truthful hero. I will never be one, and I truly felt disgusted for that.

***

We were walking on the sidewalk, our stomachs churning with pasta and soda. the cold night air hitting our faces.

When suddenly I had an idea. I jumped In front of her and said, "why don't we have some Ice cream?"

She sighs and says, " I don't have anymore money and didn't I already pay my debt." I realise what she means and quickly say, "don't worry, it's on me, let's go!"

I just grabbed her hand and hitchhiked a cab. We sat in silence throughout the whole drive. We went to a good looking local ice cream shop.

The shop wasn't too big. It was small but cozy. They didn't have that many customers when we went in.

We sat at a two person table. The cast iron intricately designed table made me feel giddy with nostalgia. I ordered a coffee flavoured ice cream and she ordered a strawberry flavoured ice cream.

"Again, why are you treating me to ice cream", asked hijabi assaulter, growing suspicious again. I already told her three times! "Like I told you, because I want ice cream and it'd be a very ungentlemanly thing to leave a lady to go home by herself",I explained while putting a spoon full of my ice cream in my mouth.

"Right and you are paying for my share too", she said, scepticism coating her words. I just answered with a nod.

She pulled out her phone and her features turned to shock. "It's 10:15!", she said, turning her wide eyes at me.

I looked at her in confusion for a few seconds until realisation hit me like a rocket. OUR DORM GATES CLOSE AT 11!! She gets up from her seat and leaves the shop after seeing that I know what we are dealing with.

I quickly pay the cashier and run out of the store to follow her. She was already getting into a cab, I also get in with her.

The entirety of the ride back was just hijabi assaulter yelling at me and me telling the driver to take the shortest route. After many heated minutes in the cab, we finally reached our destination. I pay the cab and try to catch up to an already running hijabi assaulter.

But at last, luck wasn't on our side. The huge iron gates of the academy was bolted shut like it was an abandoned house.

"Ugh", she exclaimed in frustration. Welp here comes another sesh of us yelling at each other. "Now what? Mr 'I want ice cream' ", she asks, annoyance growing by the second.

"Already ahead of you, there is a hotel which is 15 minutes away from here", I say looking at my phone.

"I'M NOT STAYING AT A HOTEL!", she yelled out, not being able to contain her anger. "Well, you either come with me or you can stay on the streets"I yelled back finally losing my cool. She flinched back a little bit for my sudden outburst.

I started walking toward the direction of the hotel, not being able to deal with her anymore. After a few minutes, I could hear footsteps and slowed down my pace. She joined me.

So began our journey to the hotel. Hoping there will be a place to stay.

To be continued 😏...