Hook: The Novel (English)

Chapter 23: Start of Something New

Ford's P.O.V.

Have you ever had one of those moments where the embarrassment hits you so hard, you just want to vanish from the face of the Earth? Or maybe even hitch a ride on a spaceship to another planet, far away from humiliation?

Because, trust me, I have. Right now, I want the ground to just open up and swallow me whole.

I don't know how I always end up in these situations. It's like embarrassment just follows me around, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. I swear, I didn't plan to make things worse, I really didn't. But the second he confessed his feelings—he actually confessed to me!—my brain short-circuited. I didn't know what to say or how to react. All logical thought left my body, and instead of facing him like a normal, functioning human being, I panicked... and said something unbelievably stupid.

I told him I had to go to the bathroom... because I needed to poop. 

Yep. That was my big, brilliant response to a romantic confession. Not "thank you," not "I like you too," not even a nervous giggle—just straight-up bowel movement talk. I added, "Let's just talk about this next time,"

Yes. That's exactly what I said. That's how I responded to a real, genuine, heartfelt confession.

The moment the words left my mouth, I knew it was too late to take them back. My panic mode was in full gear and all I could do was turn and leave before I made it even worse—which, honestly, felt impossible at that point.

Now here I am, curled up in bed, aggressively pulling at my hair like a melodramatic mess, throwing my face into my pillow.

"Ford!" I groaned. "Why do you always have to embarrass yourself? And of all people, why does it always have to be in front of him?"

I rolled over, flailing around in frustration.

"Maybe I should invent something. Something scientific. A machine that could connect me to aliens, ask them to open a portal to another dimension and just take me with them. Anywhere but here. Anywhere where no one knows me or the fact that I literally ran away from a confession because I said I needed to poop!"

I buried my face in the pillow again, muffling a dramatic, "God help me!"

I suddenly got startled when my phone beeped in the dead silence of my room. My heart jumped, and for a split second, I froze. I reached for it beside my nightstand with trembling fingers. As soon as I saw the notification, I instinctively threw my phone onto the floor like it was on fire. My heart started beating even louder, like it was trying to escape my chest.

I stared at the phone lying screen-down on the floor. My eyes widened, and it felt like my heart was about to burst out of my ribs and land right next to it. My mind was racing, already jumping to the worst possible conclusions.

Gadiel just sent me a message.

Panic rush into me

What should I do? Is he going to take it back?
Did I turn him off without realizing it?
Oh my god, IS THIS THE END OF MY ALMOST LOVE STORY!?

I could feel my shoulders drop as wave after wave of anxious thoughts crashed over me. My hands were shaking now, palms starting to sweat. I glanced at my phone again like it might explode with the weight of the message waiting inside. I didn't even know if I wanted to see it. I didn't know if I could take it.

I leaned down and slowly picked up my phone, cradling it like it was made of glass. My fingers hovered over the screen. I took a deep breath, held it for a second, then finally let it out.