Hard To Get

Chapter 25 - Touched

And in that moment, I was stuck. I felt like my feet were nailed on the floor. I also felt like I was drowning, I can't breathe easily. And I can't focus on what I am about to do because everybody is staring, and  Tiffany's piercing eyes were looking back and forth on me and Xander.

"Because I like her." Those last words of Xander kept spinning through my mind. It kept repeating and I don't know if I shall leave or... well maybe yes, I should leave. It's getting too awkward and silent in here.

"I-I have to go." I said, bowed down my head and left the crowd. 

I started running through the halls and through the exit. 

"He likes me, that can't be. He's a good guy but I can't like him back. I don't know why I just don't want to." I said to myself. "Okay, so he likes me and that's okay. I just have to tell him that I only see him as a friend but- he might get hurt if I put him on a friendzone." I added.

I rushed to the exit, then I heard running footsteps behind me. 

"Mia! Wait up!" He shouted. I stopped walking and looked back to check who it was- Xander. He catched up, and now he's in front of me- a few inches away.

"I-I'm sorry I walked away." I started saying.

"You don't have to be sorry for that, I should be sorry." He said, then paused. He took a few steps to be closer to me. I can smell his cologne, and my neck is getting tired for tilting my head to look at his eyes. But I didn't care. "I never should've said that in front of many people. but I don't care. I don't care if I looked stupid that time, if rumors will spread starting tomorrow, and most especially I don't care what they think about me. What's important is I told the truth, the truth I've been hiding. And I feel glad that I said it because I don't have to hide something anymore." He paused, moving more closely then he cupped my cheek. His soft hand felt warm on my skin, it's almost comforting. "I really like you, Mia." 

Those words felt touching, but I took off his hand on my cheek. "But-"

"I don't care if you only see me as a friend." He said, but his voice turned hard, like he was mad. "I will try and try until you realize how much I like you." He sighed. He came in closer and I can hear him breathing, he inched closer to me and kissed my cheek. I took a deep breath at that moment because I thought he would kiss me on the lips. But I'm glad that he didn't do it. 

"See you tomorrow, and let me know if you have thought about this." He whispered in my hear. I felt his lips moving while he said it.

The moment felt special, I felt touched. I never knew a bad boy would be this sweet.

But it's only the beginning.

***

I went straight home and lied down on my bed the whole day 'til night came. I was holding my phone on my chest, waiting for someone to call or message me because I really need someone to talk to. I tried asking Juliette but she said she was busy.

It was only 7:00PM, and I felt like sleeping. But I am having that feeling that I need sleep, but as soon as I close my eyes, I can't sleep. I need to clear my mind from all the things I have encountered today. I tried to turn on my ipod and played indie songs to try and put me to sleep, I guess it was working. The songs playing were not too loud and not too soft, it was nice. And I listened to the songs, until I fell asleep. 

I woke up with a text message from Juliette today and it said: "Good morning Mia! :) How are you? I heard what happened yesterday, it's so sweet! And you are so lucky to have a guy confess around people that he likes you. Anyway, don't mind what the people around you may say about it. You are perfect and keep your head up! See you later! xx" Juliette's words were surprisingly touching, but I don't want to think about it now. I just have to clear my mind from all the things. I need to focus on my studies, but that doesn't make me a nerd. I just want to get a nice job.

As I reached school, everybody was staring at me. And I heard Xander's name. But like Juliette said, I don't have to mind what people say about it. 

I went to my locker to get my things for the first class today, and as I was doing my thing, I heard someone whispered on my ear. 

"Good morning beautiful." He whispered on my ear. It was Xander.

It annoyed me because what is good in the morning if all these people are gossiping about me. And it also annoyed me because I was surprised by his whisper. So I didn't mind him, I just looked at him for a second then continued my business with my locker.

"You okay?" He asked.

"Maybe not." I said.

"Why?"

"Maybe it's because of the people around me."

"Oh them?" He pointed at the people that were talking about us at the moment. "You don't have to care about them." He said with a convincing voice.

"Don't have to care about them? I am not used to having this much attention, and it is killing me Xander!" 

"Chill out, lady."

"Goodbye." I said with a hard voice, shut my locker then started walking to where my first class is.

"Well see you later then!" He yelled.