Teasing Me as You're Loving Me

Chapter 17. We aren't in a romance novel.

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"Ugh!" I groaned as ice cream dripped onto my fingers. Jayre laughed and I glared, he smiled but didn't stop laughing completely. He gives me a cocky grin before he gains back his composure.

"What, don't like sticky fingers?" I rolled my eyes, who did?

"No, of course not!" I frown as I stretch my arms out in front of me, causing the ice cream to drip onto the hot pavement instead. I transferred my ice cream to my other hand as I flicked the sweet dessert from my fingers repeatedly. Sighing, I took the last bite and looked for something to clean both of my hands now.

Jayre was laughing again before he grabbed my hands and wiped them clean with a tissue. "Better?" he asked after my hands were finally clean. I nodded, looking for words, but couldn't find any. I looked up at him, finally realizing that, though I knew how he reacted to certain things, I never really knew his interests at heart. All I guessed was that he was just being an annoying jerk.

And as if reading my mind, he said, "Let's play twenty questions." The words came out quick, like he had been waiting forever to say that, like he had been waiting for me.

"Twenty questions, seriously?" I laugh. Was he actually serious? Maybe, maybe not. I began to think that those three words had offended him before he nodded vigorously. I giggled, I couldn't help it. "People only play that game in romance novels, are you kidding?"

Jayre just stared. A smirk began to play on his lips, "Then we really need to play it." I felt my face flush, totally taken aback. Was this flirting? I think so.

I cleared my throat, "We aren't in a romance novel." I stated. I would never be in a romance novel, especially if it was with Jayre. He shrugs before he held up his hands at his sides as if to say 'who could blame me?' I rolled my eyes.

"Fine, I'll start," he says with a smile. "What is your favorite song?" Pretty generic question, but could figure out a lot about a person.

"You are in love, by Taylor Swift." I chirp, that song was my favorite of all time, the beat, the vibes. It was just a dream to listen to, especially with headphones. Jayre raises his eyebrows.

"Is your favorite artist Taylor Swift?" he asks and I nod with a grin, I love her songs, especially if they were about love. Dress and Stay are one of my extra favorites. "Oh, why did I even ask, I should've known. You were singing her songs in the bus." he says.

"Well then next question—" he starts to speak butI cut him off.

"Okay, there is no way we are gonna be able to make it to twenty questions, what about five?" There was absolutely no way I'm answering twenty questions for Jayre. And there's a few reasons behind it, one, I do not have enough patience, two, just no.

Jayre thinks for a moment before nodding, "Fine." he pauses for a moment before speaking again, "Alright, are you dating Wacky or Zander?" The question catches me off guard and before I can stop myself, I laugh, right in Jayre's face. He looks puzzled as he waits for my laughter to subside.

"Me? Date Wacky or Zander?" I laugh again. "No! Of course not!" I giggle, did he really think I was dating one of my friends? Seriously? "Why would you even think that?" I ask, still giggling. He just shrugs with an expression that basically says 'Who could blame me?'.

"Well alright then, I read somewhere online about girls having book boyfriends or something, so uh..." he pauses for a moment, "Who is your book boyfriend?" he asks and I can't help but flash him a smile. I have my share of book boyfriends, and I am most definitely not ashamed. Who would be?

I fiddle with my shorts for a bit before I clasp both of my hands in front of my chest with a dreamy smile. "Julius Gong is dream boy material." I say airily. Jayre raises a brow, folding his arms. I realize that Jayre might not know who Julius Gong is. "He's a guy from a book, obviously, but he's smart, like top of his class smart. Oh! And he's into sports, and turns into a complete gentleman for Sadie! Like, sign me up!" I laugh.

"Wow, are you trying to imply something Layla?" Jayre gives me his cocky smirk, and it takes me a while to figure out why. Color rushes to my face again when I realize that to him, it would have seemed as if I was trying to give signs. I shake my head, losing the ability to string words together.

"Of course not! I just... have a type, I guess." I conclude, it wasn't like it was wrong either. I take a deep breath, "Let's move on to my questions!" I say.

"I don't think it's your turn yet Layla—"

"Don't care! First question, what's your favorite song?" I ask. Jayre stays silent for a moment, pondering about his answer. I groan. "It's a song, Jayre, why are you thinking so hard?" I give him a wide eyed look, trying to tell him to '
'hurry up'.

"Did you just call me by my first name, Layla?" he has a smile plastered on his face, I didn't even realize I called him that, it just rolled off my tongue so perfectly. I wouldn't mind saying it everyday. Okay, what the hell am I thinking right now?

I shrug, "Whatever, just answer the question."

"Okay, okay, it's 'Snow on the beach' by, you know." I raise both of my eyebrows. "What? Lana has some good vocals on that song."

I laugh, "I didn't even say anything. But anyways, next question! Any siblings?"

"Kind of? I have a step sibling but he's like, in another country." Oh, well I certainly didn't expect that.

"Okay... well... what's a fun fact about yourself?"

"I've been crushing on the same girl for years in a row." he says, and for some odd reason, I feel a tinge of pain in my stomach. Why? Was I feeling jealous? No, of course not. I hate Jayre. Was I being angry because of him specifically? Oh gods I hope not. Was I surprised? Totally.

"Oh, neat." I don't know why, but all my excitement and curiosity pours out of me as if I was a strainer being used to strain some freshly cooked pasta. I didn't like the feeling at all.

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