The Way You Love Me

3. Silent Anger

~ Chapter Three - Silent Anger ~

It was one of those moments when your heart beats wildly inside your chest and you wonder what is going to happen next. Most of the times this moment comes to me when I'm about to get my test results. I also felt it when I confessed my love to Caleb and he rejected me. The last time it happened was when I talked to Caleb. Today, he is standing in front of me again and I get the same feeling yet again.

"So you've got a new friend to replace me?" He asked me sounding casual but I didn't miss the strain in his voice.

"You mean Blade? He's not my new friend. He is just around." I clarified.

I didn't want him to get any wrong idea. I didn't know why I was even explaining anything to him. He didn't talk to me for about three months and now he talks to me because he feels he is replaced. No one loves the feeling of being replaced. But I've not replaced him. He has moved away and I have moved on. Not exactly, but I'd like to think that way. It will make me look more prideful in front of Caleb even though my heart is broken inside.

"I know," he nodded his head. "I just want to say that he loves you."

I blinked a couple of times, digesting his words. Wait! Blade loves me?!

"Excuse me?"

"I know you find it hard to believe because Blade had never talked to you in the past but Blade loves you. I had asked Blade not to come near you because I didn't want to lose you as a friend. It created differences between us and we became enemies. But I couldn't lose you. But now that I love Natalie, I understand what love is. I understand how hard it was for Blade to stay away from you. He loves you Ash, I'm really sorry to you and to him."

I only watched him as he spoke. When he realized that I was not going to say anything, he sighed and walked away while I stood there like a fool. For several moments, I was in that corridor wondering what happened. As his words registered my mind, my anger rose up.

An apology? That was an apology? It was honest from his side but God; I wanted to punch him in the face.

"Are you going to stand here the whole day or are you moving? Be quick or I'll be late for my class." Blade said leaning against the wall. I glared in his direction. I hadn't noticed him standing there before. I was already angry at Caleb's words and then his annoying presence made me even angrier.

"Then go to your class. Who is stopping you?"

"No one. But I'm not going without you. Let's go together." He took my hand in his and pulled me. I was confused and still reeling from my anger. I let him pull me to the next class of Music. Even though we didn't share Music, he still dragged me there and then left to his own class.

The teacher entered only moments after we made it into the class. I was thankful for Blade for helping me get to the class. If he had not compelled me, I'd still be finding my way. I made a note in my head to thank him later on.

Just like math, music teacher, Mr. Gibson, only gave us introduction. I tuned out in the middle of his speech as thoughts of Caleb entered my mind again. I started multiplying 5678 with 6798 in my head. It helped me forget about Caleb and his speech in the corridor.

When the class was over, Blade returned. He looked fresh. His hair were all messed up. He ran his hand through them and tried to set them. All the while, he didn't leave my side. We had another class together. At least I got a break from him for one period. That was good enough. I again got rid of him during lunch break.

I sat on the table with my friends. Hailey and Logan were teasing each other like a loved up couple. Gracie and Luke were fighting like an old married couple. Ryan and Julia were smiling at each other like a sweet couple. Everything was so couple-y that it was suffocating. I wanted to strangle myself sitting among them.