STRANGERS

Chapter 3- Inception

About a month has passed and I'm getting used to everything here in Willow High. But something has been bothering me lately. It's about Dale being compared to me. I know he is aware of it and is sick of it, too. What should I do?

Should I bring up that topic or just pretend as if nothing happened? But, he's my friend. Well, I consider him as a close friend even though we barely know each other. I think it is better to comfort him. I'll talk to him right now. I'm nervous!

Dale was sitting in the corner and he was playing with his cellphone.

"Hi Dale" I said.

"Hey, Andrea!" he replied.

"So, how are you?" I asked.

"I'm fine." He answered with a fake smile.

"I know you're not fine because of what's happening lately." I said.

"You don't know anything about what I'm feeling, Andrea. I just feel empty, that's all." He answered.

"I'm not acting like I know everything about you. It's just that I am concerned about you and I don't want you to be that way. You're not the Dale I met a month ago." I said.

"Andrea, I'm fine. You don't have to worry about me! Stop acting like you know everything! Leave me alone!" Dale stormed out of the room.

Oh no. What have I done? Dale is mad at me. What a disaster! Now what'll I do? Maybe I should go ask Steph.

I went inside the classroom and found Steph talking to some of our classmates. I approached her and whispered,

"Steph, we need to talk" I said

"What Andrea? What happened?" Steph replied.

"It's because Dale..." I replied.

"What about Dale?" Steph asked.

"He's mad at me" I replied.

"Why? What happened?" Steph asked.

"I talked to him earlier. I asked him about how he feels because of what's happening lately. And then he got mad. He raised his voice." I answered.

"No! Let him be. Give him some space. I'll talk to him later." Steph said.

"Okay." I replied.

I hope Steph can help us out. I'm not used to this.

The day after

Steph told me that she already talked to Dale. She said that he didn't mean to raise his voice while talking to me. He just got carried away by his emotion.

It's almost time for lunch. Steph told me to meet her in the cafeteria.

*at the Cafeteria*

While waiting for Steph to come, I bought myself some food for lunch. As I got my lunch, I looked for a place to sit. She's taking some time though. I can't wait anymore!

"Andrea!!"

As I searched where the voice came from, I saw Steph rushing toward me.

"Hey Andrea. Am I late? Steph worriedly asked.

"Not much but I've waited long enough and now my lunch has gone cold. Where have you been?!" I asked.

"It's because..." Dale suddenly came out from nowhere. I did not notice him that he's with Steph.

"Da.. daleee??!! I shockingly shouted.

"Uhmm.. Hi Andrea! :-)" Dale said.

"H.. Hiii :)" I nervously answered. I was so shy at that moment.

"I apologize for raising my voice at you. I promise I did not mean to do that it's just that I'm not on the mood that time. 😔" Dale sincerely said.

"I should be the one to say sorry, Dale. I should not have said those words to you" I answered back.

"It's really not your fault so don't say sorry." Dale nicely said.

"So, are we good now?" I said.

"We will always be." Dale answered with a bright smile on his face.

"Hmm! Guys, I'm here. Excuse me. Let's just eat and forget the drama! I'm starving to death." Steph jokingly uttered.

And we all laughed and ate lunch.

"Steph, thank you :)" Andrea said.

"No problem. I don't want you guys to be like that anyway." Steph

"Let's eat, guys." Dale said

And we ate lunch together. Happy and we're sharing stories. It feels great because Dale and I are now okay.

We're done eating and we're going back to our classroom.

"Come on? Let's head back to the room?" I asked.

"Yeah. Come on" Steph said.

*Room*

We're on our sits, in any minute our next teacher will come.

-Fast forward-

It's dismissal time. Because it's friday, Dale invited us to come over to their house to have a movie marathon, food trip and bonding also.

I asked my Mom and Dad if I can go and they said yes and the same with Steph.

We're now at Dale's house. As usual, it's big and fancy.

"Come on, let's go to the kitchen. Let's get some snacks so we can start to watch movies." Dale said.

We've entered the movie room after we got out snacks. His parents are still at work and they go home late.

*Movie Room*

Steph and Dale were so fun to be with. Time flies when you're having fun. It was late and we decided to say goodbye and go home.

"Thank you for today, Dale. Thank you for inviting us here." I said

"Yeah it was fun we should hang out again. :)" Steph added.

"No problem, guys. I just wanted to spend time with you. :)" Dale

"It's getting late. You should rest up. Thanks again!" I said.

We left and went home.

I've returned to my house. I should text Dale.

"Hey, Dale! I just got home. Today was fun! :)" I texted.

He replied, "No problem, Andrea. I had fun, too. Thanks a lot."

Andrea: "Thank you, Dale."

Dale: "Alright. Rest up. Today was chaotic. Good night!" :*

Wait, what? O_O kiss emoji? What does this mean? I'm so confused.

Andrea: "Good night :)"

*Next Day*

I woke up and looked up my phone. There was a text from Dale. Wow.

Dale: Good morning, Andrea :) Eat your breakfast :')

Andrea: Oh hi, good morning Dale :)

Why is he like this? This feels weird. I'm not used to him being like this. There's something wrong? Or is this just strange feeling?