Another Way Around

Chapter Sixteen

We’re having a formal dinner tonight with Jake and Matea. Though I don’t know why they want it formal, suit and dresses, something that reminds of the prom night in high school. They insisted to invite Gino though I said that he is busy. So I called Gino, though I don’t want to.

Everything changed after he revealed his feelings for me. I feel so uncomfortable with him, something that I hate.  I like Gino so much, he cared for me, there’s no doubt to that, but imagining us together? Nah!

I prepared early, I wore a classic dress with laces. For some reason I want to be beautiful today not actually for Jake and Matea, but I just want to feel beautiful tonight. You know, moments like this seldom came to me.

Gino picked me up, he’s in suit with his camera on his neck and as always he handed a rose to me as soon as I opened the door.

“Another rose,” I said.

“I thought you like it?,” he replied.

“Yep,” I said, but to be honest, I’m sick of it.

My head is floating while we’re in the car. I keep on thinking about Jake and Matea. It would be nicer if it’s just the three of us, but I don’t want to open to them that I don’t want Gino around. I also keep on thinking that what if Jake fell out of love for Matea, it’s been years and maybe he realized that they’re not really meant for each other. Maybe he’ll love me this time. He really looks like a grown up man now. I’m afraid to admit that I never really stop loving him and deep beneath my heart, there is still a small hope that maybe, just maybe, we can be together, for real and for good.

“Hey Gab are you listening?” Gino asked.

“Yes of course,” I said, but that’s a lie of course.

Gino kept on talking about the things I don’t want to talk to, like the old movies we went to, the new gadgets released on the market, how could we turn into a plant when we die (which I think is weird), something like that. For me, he is like the Gino I used to know back in high school, less interesting and a little bit of annoying.

We arrived at the which restaurant Jake and Matea chose. It is a luxury restaurant, like spoon and porks here are gold and silver and cups are porcelain. They arrived early. Jake looks so mature in his suit and Matea is undeniably beautiful in her dress. Before I leave the house, I know I’m beautiful but when I saw Matea, I forgot about that thought.

“Hey guys, hey Gino how are you? It’s been a long time,” Jake said.

“Yes, long time no see. I’m good. How about the two of you? How’s Europe?”

And conversations went like that.

How was this,

how was that.

 And the night did not last. We went home.

Before I slept, I reviewed our dinner. I’m not so contented. And Jake’s face kept on twisting in my mind.

I just closed my eyes and tried to sleep. I can’t afford to fell in love with him again or to accept the fact that I never really stop loving him.

*****

The day after, while on my way to school, Gino called from his car.

“Gab, comm’n get in the car”

I just got in.

“So you want to have breakfast first at the BitterSweet’s?,” he asked.

“No I’m actually late for my first subject”

“Hmm. Ok let’s just have lunch there”

“No, I’m sorry, I’ll have lunch with Jake and Matea”

“How about snacks after school?”

“Oh, I’m sorry Gino, I’ll meet them after class at the Amusement Park”

“Can I just come with you?”

I looked hard on him for a second.

“Haha ok fine. I know you want time with your ‘best friends since birth’. I’ll just pick you up again tomorrow.”

“Ok,” I said.

I jumped out of his car and went to my class.

In the afternoon, I had lunch with Jake and Matea. And after class, we went to Fadeless Land Amusement Park. I never felt this feeling for a long time. Old friends are still the best. I love hanging out with my new friends, but nothing compares when I’m with my old ones. I was like this for a week, I seldom went out with Gino. I always had lunch with Jake and Matea, sometimes in my house or in theirs or in any fast food restaurants, then after class we go to parks, shopping malls, even in bars. I just love being with them.

I just wish, they’ll stay here for good or if not, I want to go to England to be with them.