Unchasable

Chapter 25

YVONNE

"Why the fuck did you stop?", Aria asks me. We just got back from buying ice cream, after I invoked a code red.The guys have already had theirs and are back at playing with the frisbee in the water, while some other guys play volleyball. I notice that Levi, Lewis, Chris, Fabio are all at the volleyball court, the one thing we're facing right now. Levi, Lewis and Chris are one team, Fabio sitting at the margin, together with Winnie. The two are sitting on the ground, holding the impro Astoria and Apollo flags they made out of a red T-Shirt and a black and blue one, that they each attached on some stick they found. In the other team are Naomi's boyfriend, Ezra; Lia's boyfriend, Theo and the teammate of Mara's boyfriend, Caleb Nash. Not only us who are chilling on a towel and Fabio and Winnie are watching the game, but a bunch of other people we don't know that gathered around the court to be present at this once in a lifetime event.

Lia is sitting down on the blanket, Aria is leaning on her with her back, I'm with my head on Aria's lap and Naomi is lounging next to us, sitting on her belly to face us. Although she's wearing sunglasses, I can see her green eyes focused on me, asking for details.

"Well, Chris, for starters", I say, playing lost in thoughts with a strand of my hair. I know Chris didn't deserve to get all the blame, but it's easier than admitting I was terrified.

"I still can't believe no one told us you two were fake dating", Lia whispers. "I mean, we've literally spent four hours gossiping over matcha."

"And you wonder why she didn't tell you", Naomi counters.

"Can you please not tell anyone else?", I ask. "Not even the other girls", I add. I feel bad hiding it from them, but I honestly got closer to Aria, Lia and Naomi, so I felt like I could trust them. Well, Aria already knew everything, but I also feel like she's my best friend when it comes to the people here.

"My lips are sealed", Lia says, even making the whole lips sealing gesture. It's then she continues: "But honestly now. Back to Aria's question. Why did you stop?"

"You obviously had him whipped", again Aria.

"You two looked like a scene from The Notebook only in the middle of the sea and no rain", Naomi suggests.

"I was going to say Titanic", Aria offers.

"But without the iceberg", Lia adds.

"Gee thanks", I interrupt their brainstorming.

"No problem, babe, that's what we're here for", Lia replies smiling.

"She was being sarcastic, Lia", Naomi tells her.

I can't help but chuckle, then stop, finding it in me to give them an answer: "I'm afraid that if I would have kissed him then, that I would have changed everything."

"Changed everything?", Aria asks confused.

"Changed everything", I repeat convinced. It's then I explain: "You see, love was never planned for us. We are something on paper. Once I kiss him, I admit to myself that I caught feelings. And I don't want to spend my life chasing someone who doesn't want to be found. Someone who wants to be unchasable."

"That was pretty deep", Lia whispers.

"With all due respect", Naomi now, "shut that pretty mouth of yours and let the girl talk."

"I'm just afraid he won't find a kiss the same way I will find it", I continue to blurt out. "I mean, what might be a one time thing to him might turn into a real apocalypse for me. Am I ready for that?"

"Yvonne", Aria whispers. "Love always comes unprepared. No one knows when it will happen. Do you think I thought I'd fall in love with Lewis? He was my boss, and honestly the worst, grumpiest boss one could ever ask for."

"He made her buy him sushi", Lia whispers, clearly amused by this.

"Though times", Naomi adds, taking it as serious.

"I met Ezra in an Uber. The platform accidentally double booked the car", Naomi says. "We were both attracted to each other, and he ended up getting out of the Uber at my hotel, where we kissed. I thought I'd never see him again, but he surprised me by showing up at all of my tennis matches, and taking me out after every game. I have also never planned with finding the love of my life as I called that Uber ride that night, but here we are."

"Theo and I met at a party. He was with some friends in Paris, my hometown, and attended a party where I also was. We couldn't take our eyes off each other the whole night. The next day, he showed up at the modelling agency I worked for and begged the people there for my number. They wouldn't give it to him but he got lucky and as he was walking out, we literally bumped into each other, for I was going in. He took me out on a date, and the rest is history."

"Our point is, love never comes as something planned. You can't plan love, cause that would contradict the essence of love itself. You can't change the way you feel, but what you can change is what you do about it. Are you going to just let this chance walk past you, or are you gonna do something about it?", Aria says.

My body is trembling at the realisation of their words, and I try to find myself a way out. "I was just asking about a kiss, I don't know how you jumped directly to love."

"Girl, we've all seen the way you two look each other", Aria answers.

"Not to mention the way he smiles every time he's around you", Lia adds.

"It's not like that", I mumble.

"It's easy", Naomi says. "You like him, he likes you. Go get your man."

"He's not my man", I correct.

"Ain't that his ring on your finger?", Naomi is quick to counter.

Fuck. She's right.

"Look, we're not gonna make you do anything. We're just saying that when you think the time is right, you should give the two of you a shot", Aria tries to reassure me.

"It's not like that", I try to convince. I don't know if them or myself.

"Whatever you say", Naomi mutters.

We're pulled back to the world around us as a rushing Winnie heads straight for the towel we are lounging on. "Mommy, mommy", she shouts, smiling above both ears.

"Yes, sweetie", Aria asks, sitting up straight.

"Daddy won", Winnie exclaims.

Aria lets out a cheer and stands up, rushing towards Lewis who was high-fiving his friends. As soon as he sees her, his whole focus lies on her, and she jumps into his arms, and he lifts her up and spins her around once. He does not let her go but keeps her there as she wraps her feet around his waist and gives him the most passionate kiss I have ever seen.

And to think this all only for an impro volleyball game.

"Oh to be them", Lia starts fan girling. It's then she stands up and offers Naomi a hand. "Come on, babe. Let's offer our boyfriends some consolation hugs."

The two are already standing and heading away as Naomi turns around. "A congratulations kiss never hurt anybody."

Smirking, she looks away and heads for Ezra's arms.

I sigh as I stand up to walk towards the team.

Spoiler alert: There is no congratulations kiss coming.