One to Care

Chapter 7: New Friends

RECAP:

"Yeah. I forgot my umbrella, so I dried off a little at the studio, and then walked home, and got wet again," I smiled a little too giddily, and Mary gave me look that accused me of my happiness. Only, she didn't know the real reason behind it. 

I got ready for bed, and drifted off to sleep as I calmed down my excitement for tomorrow. 

CHAPTER 7: NEW FRIENDS

[ARAINA]

Since the meeting with Chase was absolutely non-school related, I dressed nicer than the day before. Wearing a creamy, semi-sheer blouse tucked in a pair of black skinny jeans, I lightly drummed my thin fingers on the wooden surface of the table. Outside the window, there were mostly couples walking around with their fingers intertwined with each other’s. The soft music playing in the background, and the stars shining perfectly in the dark sky, was enough to keep me smiling.

“Hey.” 

A deep voice suddenly interrupted my fantasy, though now that I thought of it, I would actually think it was an addition to my dream. It was Chase, looking as perfect as usual. 

“Hi.” I sheepishly responded, slightly blushing for no purpose.

We ordered our food and began talking; from one topic to another, and it surprised me at how easy it was to talk to him. It was as if the happening from yesterday, was a hoax that never really happened at all. I discovered that he wasn’t a jerk like the rest of the male population at our school, but was in fact a genuine and sincere person.

 Caught up in my thoughts, I found myself thinking about what the hell I was doing here. It wasn’t a date; just a mere dinner on me, in return for the favor he had done at school the other day. But I was certain I had never seen him with another girl before. And surely, chasing the jocks away from me, was certainly not enough reason for him to waste his entire Saturday afternoon. Before I was able to stop myself, I found my mouth blurting what my mind had questioned the most.

“Do you have a girlfriend?”

The question clearly caught him off guard, since he was choking on his pasta and using water to send it down his throat. 

“No. Oh wait, never mind. I guess, well kind of, and not really.”, he stuttered.

Awkward silence filled the air, as I had absolutely no idea on how to respond to the answer he had given me. He seemed confused about it himself, and I was just about to drop the subject when he spoke again.

“I can’t date or have a girlfriend. I...um- already have someone I’m arranged to marry.”

For some reason, I felt my heart slightly sinking and feeling drained of hope. Perhaps I had gotten a crush on him over the 2 days, adding onto the years that I had liked him before. But it was puppy love; this I was certain of, using my non-shattered, of little-bruised heart as proof. Much to my dismay though, he lightly laughed; filling the empty restaurant with his warm and soothing voice. 

“But I like you.” 

I felt like I had wings. Hope suddenly seemed so close to me, unlike before, as if it were a friend of mine. Through these feelings, I never made a comment and waited for him to continue.

“I like you. You know, you’re a really good person to be friends with.” he said with a bright smile, exposing the dimples on his cheeks.

I smiled back, not even slightly disappointed. ‘Surely there were words that followed what he just said’, I had thought, and I was right. Never expecting too much also supported you with protection from dangerous things that could break you and change the rest of your life. 

We parted with a goodbye, and a friendly hug in order to prove our newly developed friendship. As I paid, he leaned forward, facing me with a curious look on his face.

“What?” I asked, carefully trying not to sound annoyed.

“Just, wondering if you would want to...you know, hang out and watch a movie or something.” 

I looked at him, wearing an unsure face to fool around.

He quickly added, “I was just wondering. If you’re busy-”

“I’d love to.” I interrupted, flashing a smile. There was no reason for me to decline or reject, now that we had gotten the “dating” matter settled. Hanging out as friends did not cause confusion nor problems. I was fine with that.

“Well then, I guess I’ll see you tomorrow. Again.” He grinned like an innocent child as if I were promising to buy him an ice cream.

“Yeah, see you.” 

Then, we parted our separate ways.

A/N: guys I'm super sorry, but I've just been smashed to the wall with all these grades... EEKKK... I know it's no excuse, but uploading every 5 days is becoming a promise I can't keep... SOO, i'm thinking maybe an upload every week or 2? i'll try every week, but just don't bash me if i can't make it :) thank you guys so much for supporting, and i love ya all..

also, if you haven't already, please vote on the previous chapter ^^ i noticed that it's not getting as much love from you guys as the others are... it's getting a teeny bit sad.. T.T such a long author's note, but i really hope you guys enjoy my story and check out my new story that I just started; its called 

A MISSION TO KILL.

bam! bam! it's gonna be uber intense, but it's not the mushy gushy love story... it does include a little violence and mystery, but it IS romance after all so... :D i love ya all THANK YOU SO MUCH :) VOMMENT, if you want of course, AND... HAVE A WONDERFUL LIFE UNTIL I TALK TO YOU LATER~