Don't Fall in Love! (English Version)

CHAPTER 17

ㅡWho knows.ㅡ I shrugged, trying to hide my red face. Erix had the incredible power to turn me into a pepper in person.

Erix got out of the car and opened the door next to me. I got out too and observed the scene. Outside the car, the view was different: the light that I thought was a bit dubious was being blocked by the huge branches of the trees that intertwined with each other. Erix took a plaid cloth from the trunk and some straw baskets, the kind used for picnics.

ㅡErix Zhangㅡ I said, catching his attention. He seemed surprised that I had even said his last name in a disapproving tone of voice. I approached him. ㅡDo you really exist?ㅡ I placed my hand on his cheek. ㅡIs this real? Are you real?ㅡErix laughed at my silly questions. He kissed my forehead and smiled.

ㅡYes, I am, my love. This is not a dream.ㅡ He walked away to spread the cloth on the grass and place the baskets on it.

I could be sure that my eyes were shining as I watched him organize our picnic. Erix called me over to him and we sat down.

ㅡWow, who made this cake?ㅡ I asked as I took the first bite of the chocolate cake with strawberry sauce that Erix had given me.

ㅡIt was me.ㅡ He looked at me a little embarrassed.ㅡWhy? Is it bad?

ㅡIt's wonderful!ㅡ His expression of concern disappeared, which was now one of relief.

ㅡHeyㅡErix called me after a while of silence.ㅡYou know I love you, right?

My heart seemed to melt inside my chest. I smiled, but I undid it when I realized that they were dirty with chocolate. Erix laughed at my situation. I wiped my mouth before speaking.

ㅡI love you too!ㅡ I hugged him and kissed his cheek. Erix smiled and welcomed me into his arms. An act that I loved and made me feel at home. It was something incredible that only he could make me feel.

...

Saturday, 2 pm.

I was anxious to go to the mall with my mother. I was combing my hair, while staring at my reflection in the mirror, thinking about whether or not to ask my mother if she was seeing someone.

I sighed and placed the comb on the shelf and grabbed my cell phone before leaving the room.

My cell phone vibrated in my hand and I quickly answered it when I saw that it was my mother.

ㅡHi, ma!ㅡI said excitedly.

ㅡHi, Faye. Daughter, I'm sorry, but I won't be able to go with you to the mall today. Something unexpected came up and I'll have to be on call. But I'll be there early tomorrow and make us lunch. ㅡ She said, her voice a little rushed. She was probably running around the hospital.

ㅡOh, yes... Okay.ㅡ I said and ended the call.

No. I wasn't okay at all.

I let my arms fall and a single tear rolled down my face. I understood that Ma had to take care of a lot of people. But what about me? Why was I always at the back of the line on her huge list of patients?

I wiped my face, grabbed my small bag and left the house to clear my head. I only stopped walking when I saw that playground just ahead. I went to the swing and sat down. I looked at the sky and was disappointed that it wasn't blue. It was completely cloudy and that made the day even sadder.

ㅡBa, why did you have to go so early?ㅡ ㅡI lowered my head, letting my hair fall over my face.

ㅡFaye?ㅡI looked up and saw Adrian coming towards me.ㅡWhat are you doing here alone?ㅡHe sat on the swing next to me.

Great.

ㅡWhy should I be with someone?ㅡI asked.

ㅡWell, with your... Boyfriend?ㅡ He shifted on the swing, seeming uncomfortable with his own words.

ㅡI wanted to be alone, but I see that's not possible.ㅡI sighed.

ㅡI'm sorry.ㅡHe said, making me look confused.ㅡLook, Faye, I've liked you since I first saw you at that school and, honestly, I don't know what you saw in that guy. I realized I was annoying when I kept insisting that you go out with me. For that, I apologize.

I remained silent, trying to process all of that. Was Adrian apologizing to me? What a strange day that was?

ㅡOkay...ㅡ That was the only thing I could say. I didn’t know how to react properly to an apology. It was then that I remembered something. ㅡAdrian, what did Erix tell you that day you called me?

He cleared his throat, a little embarrassed when he remembered what had happened.

ㅡHe just told me not to call you anymoreㅡhe replied. But something told me that it wasn’t just that. I continued to stare at him suspiciously. ㅡOkay, he also told me to stay away from you because otherwise...ㅡ Adrian was interrupted by the sound of his cell phone ringing. ㅡOh, no, I have to go.ㅡ He scratched his head and got up from the swing. He waved at me and disappeared from view, leaving me curious about what he was going to say.

I left the playground and walked aimlessly down the street. I didn't want to go home, because I knew that if I did, I would fall asleep, and if I did, I would have nightmares.

That year had been strange. Ever since that incident, I had only been having flashbacks to that exact year. It was making me deeply frustrated.

ㅡWhy are you so thoughtful?ㅡErix's voice almost made me jump in fright.

ㅡOh, boy! I told you to let me know when is getting closer.ㅡ I tried to regulate my breathing and Erix watched me, suspicious.

ㅡ You didn't answer my question,ㅡ he said, with an arched eyebrow.

ㅡ It's just that Adrian apologized to me just now and that's weird,ㅡ I said and started walking again.

ㅡ And what were you doing alone with that guy?

It was my turn to arch my eyebrow.

ㅡ I was at the playground when he came out of nowhere and came up to me.ㅡ I looked at Erix and his expression was serious.ㅡ Look, I'm not in a good day for arguments. I'm going home, bye.

I left in long strides and only stopped when I reached the front door. I sighed and went inside, threw myself on the couch and stared at the ceiling. A few minutes later, someone knocked on the door.

ㅡ I'm sorry.ㅡ Erix said when he saw me.

Seeing his crying face made me fall apart instantly. My day was going badly, but hearing him made me smile for the first time that day. Erix pulled me into a hug and kissed the top of my head. Soon after, he said:

ㅡI love you.