The Best Mistakes

16. Nolan

It was eerily quiet at the campus cafeteria today. The crowd seemed to had been worn down by the New year parties, everyone's head was hung low and some even had eye bags.

I shook my head and checked the assignment for one last time for any errors before turning it in. Finally, I could rest now, not that I wasn't resting before. The difference is, I can rest worry free now. I stretched my arms and yawned. I checked the time and it was past twelve, almost time for lunch. My stomach grumbled, stating the same.

I was about to call out Jake but stopped and scowled at his unusual behavior. He had been on his phone earlier and now wasn't, but the cheeky, ear-to-ear smile was still plastered across his face. I got chills seeing him like that. "Don't smile like that, you're creeping me out."

"Then don't look, asshole," he said indifferently. He looked like what people would call a ‘fool in love’. I cringed seeing him act so out of character. Jake and expressions didn't belong together.

"Why are you this happy?" I asked, narrowing my eyes. It was obvious why he was happy but I, like a dumb still asked him. "Because my pathetic love life is not so pathetic anymore,” he smirked.

I scoffed. "You're still hung up on that. That's quite petty of you.” I agree it was wrong of me to say that and I apologized as well. How long was he going to hold that?

"Says the stuck-up jerk," he said, pinning me with a lazy stare.

"Don't call me that." I glared at him. More than anything, I hated when people called me a stuck up. I was anything but that and I was sure everyone around me would agree.

Jake's gaze averted behind me and his eyes suddenly lit up. I knew who it was just from the shine in his eyes. I looked behind me to see Asher, Ruby and Amelia coming towards us. I had a hunch that Kayra wouldn't be with them and she wasn't. I figured that she would be avoiding me and I was sure it was because she remembers that night. She must be embarrassed beyond belief. I bit my lips to contain my smile, thinking about her reactions. I can't let go of this chance to tease her.

I stood up and everyone gave me a questioning look, so I excused myself from there saying 'I need to get some fresh air'. On the way, I stopped by the counter and ordered a sandwich for lunch. While waiting, I noticed the butterscotch caramel cake sitting on the counter. It's her favorite.

I left the cafeteria and hurried towards that place. I knew where she would be, after all there were only a few places in the campus she frequented. As I walked closer to the place, I spotted two familiar and large maple trees, a rough pebble pathway, and thorny bushes. After going through these, I saw a swing of rope and wooden plank, hanging on another maple tree which was a bit smaller than the previous ones. And there she was sitting on it, swinging lightly. That was her hideout, which she found but more like she created by doing the necessary cleaning.

I found out about this place before when she used to disappear often and never returned until late. When I came here before and even now, I could tell that this place felt like her. It was just like Kayra.

The leaves danced with the breeze, creating a rustling sound and the sparkling sunlight penetrated through the branches and fell upon the ground, forming beautiful shadows. But I didn't care about them, not when she was here for me to think about.

I sneaked from behind and lightly tapped on her left shoulder. I swiftly sneaked in front of her, as she turned around to see where I tapped. Her eyes visibly widened and breath hitched when she turned back and our faces were just an inch away from each other.

Getting this close to her wasn't my intention, I just wanted to surprise her but it looks like the plan backfired. My own heart was behaving out of control now. It pounded with so much intensity that the outside voices melted and the only thing I could hear and feel were her soft breaths and flickering of lashes.