Beautiful Badboy

02 - Hugs & Kisses

Owen Ashton Stevenson

"So how was it to be held by the one and only angel of beauty, Samantha Ivankov?" Samuel asked the moment I joined him and Monica for lunch. As usual, he's teasing me again and this time, he has the evil grin framed on his face. If I'm not trying to protect my dignity, I would've reacted with such excitement. Clearly, I don't want to embarrass myself especially since we are gathered in the cafeteria of all places.

"W-what?" I replied, pretending as if I did not hear what Samuel said. In all honesty, I felt really happy with the little interaction that I've had with Samantha earlier this morning. I don't remember what she said to me, but it doesn't matter because she already made my day.

"You're blushing," said Monica, shoving a slice of apple into her mouth. "What did she tell you anyway? You had an entire conversation with her."

"I don't actually remember," I replied, and in my head, I'm trying to recall what Samantha said to me, but the only thing I could recall was how beautiful she was.

"What do you mean you don't remember? That's like the highlight of your day. I'm not trying to be mean, but that's also like the highlight of your month," Monica went on. She might be reading me, but she's also correct. I'm just a regular nobody and there's really nothing exciting that's happening in my life.

"Bro, I think Samantha put a spell on you. You spaced out," Samuel chimed in perfectly, describing what happened earlier. "I know the feeling, bro. When I'm talking to Cindy, I always feel like I'm floating on cloud nine—" Samuel continued, and as much as I wanted to listen to him, Samantha managed to steal my attention.

In the midst of the regular lunchtime ruckus, I had my eyes glued on Samantha. Her table was all the way to the opposite side of the room where most of the popular people are, but I could still see her, and she looked incredibly gorgeous. Even though she's wearing the same uniform as every other girl, she still stands out. She was surrounded by her usual entourage, who are giving her all of their attention. I watched as she shared some giggles and laughter with her closest friends, Brittany, Coco, and Brettman.

I know I'm not high, but in my current situation, I might as well be. I feel like it's going too fast on my end, but I think Samantha's slowly becoming my world all over again, and I can't help but let it happen. I guess learning the news that she broke up with Wayland was making me feel giddy and a little bit excited.

In this universe, I'm aware that there's no way I would be dating the one and only Samantha Ivankov. She's the brightest star hanging above the night sky while I'm just an inconsequential speckle of dust on the surface of the earth. Despite of that, I just couldn't help myself but imagine what would've happened if the stars miraculously aligned and somehow I ended up dating her. I think I would be the happiest guy in this universe, and yet I'm aware that it's bullshit. Thinking about dating Samantha is an utter bullshit. At least only in my case.

For starters, I'm not rich and famous; I'm not handsome and socially apt; but most of all, I'm not Wayland Vance Cargill. Second, I don't really have the confidence to go straight up to her and ask her out like what most guys have already done. While I don't have the confidence, I also don't want to get rejected like how most guys have been. Lastly, Samantha's always surrounded by her closest friends, and they always look like they're prepared to hunt you down.

Nothing exciting happened through the second half of the day except that I've been daydreaming about Samantha for the rest of my classes. The day quickly reeled to an end, and I thought there's nothing exciting to happen to me until I was walking my way towards my locker, and then I saw Samantha and her entire entourage waiting for me.

"What in the—?" I felt Samuel's hand grabbing me by the arm. "Am I really seeing this?" Shaking me, he seemed just as shocked as I was.

"Yeah," I nodded, mumbling under my breath. I was just daydreaming about Samantha all day long, and it seemed like I manifested things.

Samantha was smiling like an angel as she waved in my direction. I thought she was waving at someone else behind us, but when I looked around there's no one else other than me and Samuel. I felt a little bit ecstatic that Samantha noticed my presence when she usually does not; however, as soon as I felt the giddy feeling, it was immediately replaced with nervousness.

"She's waving at you, dumbass," Samuel whispered.

Faking a smile, I nervously waved back at Samantha. It's not that I didn't want to see her waiting for me at my locker, but it's the fact that I might space out again. I fear that this time, I might actually pass out and that's not cool at all.

"Owen!" Samantha squealed, gritting with excitement, and then she began to saunter her way towards me. There's a good amount of distance between me and her, and I had the pleasure to watch her walk like a supermodel. Things went in slow motion in my eyes, and for a while, I wasn't quite sure if the loud successive thumping sounds I'm hearing was just a product of my heart beating on the spot or if it's just her expensive Louboutins. By the time she reached my spot, she immediately gave me a quick hug.

"Woah!" I mumbled under my breath. I literally had to control myself. I didn't quite expect her to give me a hug like that, and if it wasn't for Samuel kicking me on the knee, I would've passed out.

"Are you ready for tonight?" Samantha asked as I tried my best not to get distracted by her beauty.

"T-tonight? W-what about tonight?"

"You are so silly, Owen." Slapping me by the shoulder, she giggled. "Don't tell me you already forgot what I told you earlier this morning."

"Oh?!" I let out trying to figure out what she was talking about. I do remember our interaction this morning which was the whole reason why I started daydreaming about her all day. Sadly though, I spaced out and never actually realized she said something to me. "W-what was that again?" I asked.

"Oh my gosh! You are like my grandpa; he always forgets things. Anyway, we are going to a party tonight."

"A party?"

"Yeah, you said yes this morning, remember?"

"Oh, yeah. A party, s-sure. I'll see you there." In my head, I was already thinking about how I would sneak out from home. Samantha just asked me out to a party, and there's absolutely no reason I would say no to this seemingly once in a lifetime invitation. If she's just a random girl asking me out to a party, then I would've probably said no, but she's not just any other girl; she's the girl of my dreams.

"Is there room for a plus one? Can I come too?" Samuel chimed in, and he looked pretty much thrilled as he shamelessly invited himself.

"Oh, uhmmm, I'm sorry. The party is already full. Maybe next time?" Samantha said as she began to search for something inside her pastel pink Chanel bag.

"What?" Samuel mumbled in disappointment.

"You heard her; she said there's no room left." I said, trying not to laugh hard at Samuel's disappointed face. I know he really wants to come to this party, but the person who just invited me quickly uninvited him the moment he tried to shamelessly invite himself.

"Here's the address." Samantha handed me a piece of paper with an address written on it. "I'll see you at 6 p.m.," she smiled, and I thought she was already about to leave, but I was astonished with what happened next. Samantha leaned over towards me and kissed me on the left cheek. "Dress nice, Owen. See you," she added before eventually walking away.

I felt my face turn red, and my entire body felt hot and wobbly. Samantha Ivankov, the girl of my dreams and Wayland's ex-girlfriend, just asked me out to a party. It looks like I might actually have a chance.