The folkloric summer

Chapter-4

"Romeo take me somewhere we can be alone.."

I was woken up by ringing of my phone. The comfort of my warm and soft bed seemed illegal to be left behind. The continuous ringing of my phone made me irritated and I had to finally stand up. My phone was in my bag, which was still lying on the floor. I noticed that I was still wearing the jeans and sweatshirt,I had wore in school today. I picked up my bag, rubbing my eyes and took out my phone to see 2 of Inez's missed calls. I sighed, knowing damn well that calling her back will either kill me or make me alive again.

I dialled to her. She answered at once.

"Betty!!"- her voice was concerned.

"Hey!"- was all I could manage.

"You okay??"- she asked me.

"Yup!"- I said shortly.

"You are such a...."- she took a deep breath, and continued again, "Betty! Why you left like that??"

"...because..I wanted to!!"

"Oh! Please! We all know though!"

"So! Why did you ask me again?...to break me even more!?"- i said sarcastically.

"You know damn well I am not like that!"- her voice was louder comparatively, i sighed.

"So! Tris dared him to kiss her?"- i asked keeping my voice low.

"..well! Yeah he did!..asshole, he is...my brother!!!"- she answered.

"How was it then?" - i said, as my voice flinched.

"What?"- she seemed confused,

"The kiss!"- I hurts.

"What—! Oh for heaven's sake. He didn't kiss her!!"- her voice was bossy, but somehow cooled down the fire in my throat.

"What? Why!?"

"He said she is a friend and he Would never kiss her!"

"Oh!" My heart was jumping out in happiness.

"You are insane, betty!"

"I know! Right?"

"Mmhmm! And! He asked me if you were fine, because the way you fled..was genuinely..concerning!"- her voice was merely louder than whisper.

"What!?"- I jumped with excitement.

"And! We have decided that we'll come and hang out at your place, today! And by 'we' I mean, me, Adrian, Tris and James."- she told me hurriedly.

"What? When?"

"We'll be there by 7! Get the coke ready please!"- she said! "'K bye! See ya!"

"Inez! Wait—"
But she had already hung up the phone. I checked and it was 6:22 already! Damn! I slept so much! I stood up and took out a pair of loose t shirt and shorts. Tying up my hair into a bun I went to the bathroom, to find out my face, HORRIBLE. the mascara smudged down till my cheeks my lips stick faded and eyes swollen.

"Fuck!" The words left automatically from my mouth, I quickly washed my face to remove the makeup. After a quick shower, I layered up the skin care on my face. And rushed down to the kitchen. I kept 5 cans of coke into freezer, taking out cup noodles and keeping water to boil. I checked time on clock, 6:55. I took a deep breath of relief.

I stretched my upperbody and rested myself on the chair. They'll be here anytime
Soon....my mind informed me, and my stomach swirled, A cup noodle date with James, seems cool.

Before I could proceed another thought, the door bell rang. I stood up and opened the door to see Inez beaming at me, which was no surprise. She winked at me and entered in, followed by Adrian, Tris and james.

His smile made me flush. His dimples were so hot. His plump lips were so inviting,
'No betty! Control your explicit thoughts!' Something inside me informed my heart. And I just smiled back.

They were seated on the sofa. I settled next to James, which luckily, was the only seat left to be occupied.

"Betty! Are you ok??"- James asked.

"Yeah!" I nodded smiling,

"I mean...you left...early today!"- he hesitated, but I knew what he meant.

"Oh! Yeah! I was really tired plus needed some quality sleep. Even, when Inez called me, to inform that you guys will be coming over, I was asleep!"- i tell him.

"Ok!" -he nodded and his expressions told that he believed me.

Inez was busy with her phone.

"Betty?"- after about a minute of silence, Tris finally spoke.

I looked at him as he continued, "I know what you are thinking!"

His voice was full of despair. "What?" I knew everyone had their eyes on me now.

"..why Micheal isn't here!"- his lips grew into a smirk.

I rolled my eyes, and before I could gather words to give him a savage reply, james sighed deeply and said, "you need to see a good therapist. Shit is getting over your head, Mr. Tristan Rolf!"

"Why? Jealousy?"- he said sarcastically, as James expression changed from proud to confused. "I mean...if you can think of fucking Augustine, then can't she even miss Micheal. Huh!?"- Tris continued. That word hurts me.

"Tristan!!"- Inez shouted at him. Adrian squeezed her shoulder to stop her.

"What do you mean?"- James' brows contracted, and he stood up.

Tristan merely smiled, not replying.

"What do you mean, damnit?!"- James was getting louder.

"—that you are fucking jealous of Michael!"- Tris too stood up, followed by me, Adrian and Inez. "...you are jealous of him, because he knows damn well how to express his feelings!"- Tris continued, James' face could tell that his words were really sharp.

"Do you even know what are saying??"- Inez scolded her brother.

"Definitely I know!"- he shouted back at once. The tension was so dangerous.

Tris moved near to james, as Adrian stood between them, as a wall.

"This motherfucker is dying inside every second!"- he told Inez, pointing towards James. "He loves Betty!"- he shouted, the words made me smile, NOWAY!! "Stupid coward ass!"

All the eyes drifted towards James who was totally speechless, bewildered and was glaring at Tristan. "Tristan?!"- he said gently.

"Sorry James! But I had to! Couldn't wait anymore! That Micheal would've taken her away from you! And we all know, he is not at all worth her! That jerk switches girls every month."- his voice was more concerning, gentle and understanding now. He walked back to his sofa, and settled down glaring at his shoes.