Wild Secrets

15 - DISASTER

"10"

They all started screaming and teasing. I can't believe I did ten. I actually told myself i'm just going to do this eight times. I think I was distracted too much. "You're blushing!" They all started telling me that i'm actually red. I can't believe i'm back in old school days where people kept teasing you just because you're red. What if I'm just ill? Or ants bit my face? I tried to think all the possible excuse but none. There's no good excuse.

After a few moments, I popped out of my bubble when I heard my name again. Great! Truth or dare likes me. I realized that it's actually Kenz's dare and they're referring to me. He chose truth too and sadly, it involves kissing again.

"If you got the chance to kiss Shantel, where would it be?" one guy said. I realized I actually didn't know some of the students in my batch.

I was locked in Kenz's eyes. He's moving closer and closer. I had to close my eyes. I can't take seeing his face so close to me and I also didn't know where he's going to kiss me. I just wish he doesn't.

Suddenly, I felt a soft peck on my forehead. I know it's weird but I find it very sweet. I opened my eyes and I saw Kenz's still in my forehead with his eyes closed. I didn't expect to like what i'm seeing right now. In that moment, I actually wished that he shouldn't have left and if he didn't, we're probably enjoying every moment right now but no, things changed.

He then returned to his position. His face serious, without any smirking or any face that can annoy me. He's just the plain Kenz, sweet handsome looking Kenz.

After a few minutes, we decided to end the game. I actually had fun touring Kenz around the campus. They all insisted me to do it which means I have no choice. I also need to prove that he's my boyfriend or else they'll start thinking that i'm lying.

In the whole tour, Kenz kept making jokes about things we encounter. He's still funny and cheerful. I missed him a lot. He even made fun of Mrs. Levine's bust in the middle of the gym. He find it disturbing actually. We continued joking around that even the janitor had to scold us for being weirdos. I thought about Mrs. Green when we passed her room. Kenz noticed my change of mood when we're close so he didn't bother asking questions. Mrs. Green's not back yet and i'm wondering what's taking her so long. I realized we never got the chance to talk seriously. I just left him when we reached the classroom and he went to his new friends.

It's been days since Kenz's arrival here and we only have two weeks to prepare to our Christmas party. Our section was assigned to do the classic tale which is The Nutcracker. "Shantel, you'll be the ballerina" Our president said. I actually didn't like that idea. I tried to decline the offer but it seems that it's not an offer at all. I also told Kenz that i'm Shantel Flinn and not a Wilder here. He kept asking me why i'm Shantel Flinn. "I just want to study here. If people find out that i'm a Wilder, they're going to throw me away like a trash" He seemed to buy that idea of mine.

Kenz's also a lot nicer than before. He joins us in lunch without any reason but Lyla seems to enjoy his company a lot. He's funny, yes but whenever he's around, I remember all the lies I said to them and it's killing me.

"Hey! We will start practicing for our play tomorrow" Our president walked passed our table just to give the news. Our president is actually one of Lyla's friends. Her name is Carrie and she looks nice and mean at the same time. Weird huh? I just don't like her presence sometimes.

After class, I ran to the studio to practice. I'm a little worried that I might not do it because of my painful past. I tried to tip toe with just one foot but I fell on my butt instantly. I didn't feel serious pain but something's telling me to stop doing it. It's like i'm surrounded with negative forces whenever I try to do something like that. I tried to do it again and again but there's no progress. I keep on falling and falling until my butt started to hurt. I wanted to cry. I wanted to curse who's the person in charge in my kidnapping case. I hope karma gets that person. It happened when I was thirteen but it still a sad memory and it's unforgettable. I just wish I could delete a lot of things that bother me.

I stared at the mirror. I saw a familiar face looking at me. He's wearing a frown in his face and he looks sad. I stood up immediately. How long he's been standing there? Kenz walked towards me.

"Still troubled huh?" Kenz said. He was one of the person who supported me when I was trauma. He stayed beside me for a year and took care of me. I remembered the time where we used to do all things together and he kept on protecting me. Now, everything is just a lie. Suddenly, I started to feel butterflies in my stomach. I'm having this weird feeling.

"I just can't do it"

"No, you just can't stop thinking about it" he said. He walked closer and closer. He held my both hands and we're facing each other. He's brown eyes locked on mine. My heart began to beat faster.

"What do you feel?" he asked, still looking at me.

"I feel secured"

"Contemporary dancing is close to gymnastics but you never fail, why? Every time you dance, you feel so secured, protected because you have a partner" he said.

"But in order to succeed in both, you must let go of what brings you down and that is too much security. Sometimes you have to risk it all so you can have it all" he soon added.

He moved closer until our chest meet. I can feel his warm body close to me.

"I just can't stop thinking about it" I admit.

"And it will not stop haunting you. Remember all the dreams that was broken in that day? Do you still want that to remind you that you're a quitter and didn't give yourself a chance to do what you should have done years ago? To prove how talented you are, to show all your hard work and most of all, to express gratitude to God" he said and finally smiled. He's right. I can't believe Kenz can say such an encouragement. I really thought he changed completely but I was wrong. I was wrong to judge him just because he hurt me.

He let go of my one hand and twirled me using the other. Shockingly, I did a full turn with one foot and it's actually on tip toe. I hugged Kenz tightly.

"Thank you" I whispered.

I let go and he's smiling. I can't avoid to smile too. He made me so special that I was able to get rid of my fear. I didn't expect that he have this great effect on me.

"Do you want to grab a coffee?" he asked nicely. "Sure!"

We went to the nearest coffee shop which is the first shop I have ever visited since I came here. The coffee shop where I first met Raphael and Carl. I wished my life's not complicated like before.

We sat beside the window, the same spot where I used to sit. He ordered for the both of us. I grabbed my cellphone to check my messages. I realized that he's not back yet so I decided to search for him. I looked behind me and he's in another table, talking to some girls. I'm right. He's a playboy. I saw that they're actually having fun. The cashier served our coffee and I decided to grab mine and leave already. We went here together and now he's talking to another girls. What kind of guy is that? Luckily, he didn't notice that i'm already leaving the shop. I just called a cab so I could already go home. Wow. It's actually my first time riding a cab.

I went to my hotel room and I found Raphael and Carl playing in my room. They're actually playing NBA which means no place for girls. Seeing them like this is common. I told Paul to let them in even though i'm not around yet. I just walked in without being noticed by the guys. I just watched from the dining area while eating an apple. Paul's doing some paper works in the desk. I wondered what's that all about?

I'm still pissed that Kenz left me alone just to have fun with other girls. I know we're not really in a relationship but he just can't leave me alone like that.

"Hey! Raphael! Is Kenz really a playboy?" I asked. He answered me without leaving his eyes from the screen.

"Yup! He loves being surrounded by girls" Raphael said. "Why?" He soon added.

"Nothing. He just annoys the hell out of me" I answered back.

After finishing their game, the real fun begins.