The Steps To Your Heart

Step 7: New Perspectives

--- Alexander ---

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Ball is in your court

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I'm a scum!

She said I was a scum!

Of all the harshest criticism she could have used, she said I was a scum!

Even asking Chris about her didn't work. I thought I could get to her when I knew her better, but it seems like there's still a long way to go. I don't even have the slightest clue where to begin.

I wanted to just forget about it, move on – there are a lot more girls out there anyways. But I can't. Not with her. Not when she thinks I'm a scum.

You may call it as a man's ego – it was the first time I've felt humiliated in front of a girl, but I can't. But I can't even have a simple conversation with her when I'm practically nothing to her but an annoyance.

And now I feel like an idiot to even think of proving myself to her. It feels stupid.

"Alex, you're mom called and she – " dad stated as he entered my room but stopped halfway when he saw me.

"What are you doing?" he asked with amusement in his voice.

I was sprawled on my bed with a laptop open beside me with books and magazines scattered all over the place. When I remembered what Chris said about Nique having ideals, an idea came to my mind.

But as I thought, it really is stupid.

"I'm trying to get a job, but I don't even know the first thing about getting one," I muttered.

"What?" he gasped, but still with amusement in his voice. Now, I'm certain that it was stupid.

But ...

"A job, you know?" I repeated, sounding pitiful. I just can't get it off my head – what she called me. And I also can't stop thinking about her. Every time I would think that I was nothing but an annoyance to her, her face would flash across my face as she keeps going on and on about me being a whatever without a twist or something. But that mouth of hers though.

I suddenly heard my dad clearing his throat when he caught me grinning to myself.

"Can you help me?" I asked. He was grinning, and was trying hard not to laugh.

"Why would you need a job?" he asked instead and went to sit on the edge of my bed.

"To prove that I'm not a scum," I finished like that explains everything.

"A scum? Did someone call you that?"

I nodded in response, and stared blankly at the ceiling. And once again, her face flashed before me. Chris also mentioned that once you've irritated her, there is no going back. And I sure as hell pissed her off that night.

But that's one of the things about her that just doesn't make sense. I mean, all girls get flustered when they're being flattered, aren't they? It's like their nature to be. Like how a guy just can't stop distinguishing a girl by their looks – as for me, it's their boobs.

"Was it a girl?" dad blurted chuckling.

"How'd you know?" I asked and acted impressed as I looked amazed at him. He laughed.

"You're my son and I know you enough to know you will only be bothered by a girl." He stated like it was already a fact.

"Hmmmmmmm." I mumbled since I already knew what he was about to say.

"And? Can you help me?" I asked.

He didn't answer for a couple of seconds. But when I raised my head to look at him, I knew I got his approval.

So far, everything I've tried didn't work on her. I've tried being charming. I've tried being a gentleman even – which is so far from my character. And I also tried being discreet.

"If by chance you're having a hard time getting a girl," my father started.

"Just stop overthinking it and just go with what you think is the best way to capture her heart." He smiled at me like he knows exactly what I'm thinking.

"And the best way to do that, my son, is to be a man."

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