As Always (drafts; on hold)

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN ♥ Christmas Party

I am still avoiding Ian and spent most of the week swimming. It relaxes me. It keeps me away from reality. Cindy is also avoiding me. I shouted at her. I got angry infront of her. My mind races so fast this week that I didn't think how to fix things between us.

My phone rings. I am still on my bed mourning for my broken heart. It is Anna. "Annie! Glad you answer. I try to talk to you or call you at school but you are nowhere to be found and not answering your calls."

I wipe my eyes. "Sorry. Why did you call?"

She smirks. "I was just wondering if you wants to go shopping this afternoon we haven't talk much these days, I miss you."

I chuckle. "Really? I love to but..." What to say as an alibi?

"You can't come?" She finish for me.

I didn't reply.

"Okay, maybe next time. Is everything fine?"

"Yes." I lie.

She pause for a moment. I know she doesn't believe me. "If you need someone to talk to, I am here. We are all here."

Not long after I end the call, my phone rings again. I answer it without even looking at the caller ID.

"I never expect you would answer." Ian say on the other line.

"Why did you even call if you don't expect me to answer?" I mock him. It still feels wrong.

"No. I mean, I am waiting for your answer. All the time. I called you so many times but you're ignoring them. I need to know what's wrong." He said, explaining but gently.

"Is there something you think wrong?" I am still acting like I don't care. He is playing hard, I will play harder.

"That's why. I don't know if something is wrong because you won't tell me."

"I won't tell you because I know you know about it."

He pauses and collects his thoughts. Yes, Ian. It is about you. You and Sarah. "Is it about that thing about the intramurals? I'm so sorry I've been stupid, but, Annie, please I want you, I need you. I can't spend another day thinking about what you're doing or if you are fine."

Tears start to fall my eyes. I don't want him to hear me cry so I end the call.

I need distractions. I don't want to try again just because of this. I told myself I wont envy and be jelous again.

I dialed Anna's number. "Annie?"

"Is your invitation still available?"

~~~~~~~~~~~

We meet in a fastfood restaurant in a mall. The whole place is full of things for Christmas season-fake snow, styrofoamed reindeers and snowmans, bright chandeliers pinned up the cealing. When I was a kid, I always thought how they can put them, if people who did can fly, but they turned out to be nothing but scaffolding.

"There you are." Anna sits on a chair in front of me. "So... How are you?" She is concern. Cindy might have told them.

"Fine." I smile. "I need to shop for Christmas. Only a few days left."

Her face brightened, she claps her hands two times then stand. "Okay, then. Let's start the mall-raid!"

First, we go to department store. I buy gifts for my friends, including Cindy. I am still in a mind debate on weather to buy one for Ian.

"Check this out." Anna is gesturing to a couple shirt. "This will be cute for you and Ian."

I frown.