Flirt Friends

11 - CAUGHT

    My head was still spinning and my eyes were red as blood. I laid in bed for next half an hour looking at the clock, I knew I was getting late for school but I didn't wish to go. Last night was intense and I didn't want to think of it but images kept on flashing in my mind.

     Pulling myself up, I went to the washroom and washed my face rapidly. As I dropped my clothes on the floor and stood under the shower I realised that today I have to answer Jason and the answer is pretty much clear in my head. I sat on the floor for next ten minutes under the water, I couldn't stop my mind from running over the memories of last night. I just couldn't take out the face I saw yesterday, the face that was unusual, the face that never seemed so sad. That face even tried to kiss me. He tried to kiss me. Does he like me? After all he doesn't want me to say a yes to Jason. But the reason he stated was that he would lose me and he says that I am his closest friend. Maybe all of that was in a heat of the moment. We both were even drunk and the environment was so romantic already. Maybe I'm just over reacting.

      I put on a gray, little-summer-dress with a pair of white shoes and grabbed the keys. Walking towards the station I realized I saw someone standing across the road. At once I turned around and smiled plainly, maybe my mind is just so tired to blush.

"Hi." He said in his darling voice, enough to seduce me from nail to nail.

"Morning." I uttered. He just smiled and walked towards his car. My knees felt wobbly and I could feel a weird tickle in my lower abdomen. I followed him. He pulled the door open for me and I slipped in next to the driver's seat.

"I didn't expect you." I said looking down.

"I know. I'm sorry. " He said and I looked at him as he drove.

"Why are you sorry? I am not mad at you. I really like it." At that time he looked at me and found me looking at him. His cheeks turned red and he turned to face the road in front. I looked outside. 5 more minutes to school building.

     I was lost in my thoughts when suddenly the car stopped and I found ourselves parked in front of the building. "So?" He said.

"So....?!" I looked at him in confusion, though in my heart I knew what he meant.

"Did you think about it? Do you still need time?"

     I thought for a while about what Zack said. Will my relation with Jason affect my friendship with Zack? No. Why will that happen. Jason seems so sweet, he won't mind. I don't really know him. But I didn't knew Zack as well, maybe its just a matter of time. Things will workout soon. But, I gotta think of what I have rightnow, rest will be seen later.

     I looked at him, "Yes. I say yes." And at that instance I looked down. I don't believe I finally have a boyfriend. Even he looked down and then moves out of the car. He pulls the door open for me and takes my hand. It is a special feeling, very different. His grip is so tight and unknowingly he pulls me closer as he walks towards the corridor. Every pair of eye-balls follow us as we move towards my locker. I couldn't stop blushing. I felt special and embarrassed. It was great.

                             xxx

    The day was great. I got a lot of attention. Till the time it was recess, everyone was talking about me. A lot of girls passed by me and gave hate comments when I was alone. I met few of his friends and everyone was shocked to know that he had a crush on me. But most of them liked me and said I am a totally different person for them now, after talking to me. Everything was great except, I couldn't find Cass again. So, Jason dropped me to Cass' house and left for his practice. He forced to stay but I made him go. He is a great person.

      As he drove off, I turned around and walked towards the main gate. I hit the doorbell and waited for a while. I was about to hit the bell again when I heard footsteps. I waited and finally the door opened. My big smile started to fade when I saw someone else. I expected to see Cass but instead found a man standing in front of me. He was well dressed and his hair were perfectly combed. He seemed to be in his mid 40's.

      He smiled at me and said "Yes?" I stepped back and smiled again. "Um. Hi! I'm here to see Cass. I mean Cassandra."

"Oh, Hello. You must be Paige. So nice to see you." He said. Blocking the whole gate.

      I smiled and replied," I'm sorry, but I didn't recognize you."

"Haha, how will you! Well My name is Peter. I'm Cass' new father or so to say soon-to-be-father." He winked and started smiling again. I didn't knew about that. Why didn't she tell me. I asked for Cass again.

"Cass is not at home. She is out on a little trip with her mother. She will be back in few days." I stood there for a moment, staring at him blankly, unintentionally.

"Why don't you come in?" He finally offered, but I refused with a faint smile and started walking away. I turned around at the sound of door shutting. I stared at the house for a while, something seems so wrong. Suddenly my eyes ran towards Cass' window and I saw Lily standing by the curtain. My smile reappeared and I waved to her. I expected her to get all excited and run down to me as usual. Instead she just turned around and drew the curtain.

       Something is wrong, definitely wrong. This all that came to my mind, all the way to my work. I tried calling Cass but it says switched off and it's been so long now. Who was that man? Why didn't Cass tell me about him? As far as I know she never likes to travel with her mom instead she likes to stay back and go for parties and stuff. And what's with Lily, she wasn't being herself today.

     I opened the gate and went to the washroom to change into my waitress' uniform. As I went to the counter to place my bag under it, Nick came up to me. "Hey Nick." I smiled faintly.

     He didn't smile instead pulled me to the corner and whispered, "Linda is very upset. She is planning to throw you out. What have you done? Tell me." He completed in a single breath.

"What? Why?" I looked at him in complete confusion. I can't even ask DONT-JOKE-WITH-ME because he is not that kind of a person.

"That's what I'm asking you. What have you done?" He looked all concerned. Then he looked over my shoulder to the counter, "I'll attend the customer, you be prepared to face Linda." I keep thinking as to what went wrong. I've been so punctual always, never messed up with the customers, never... Before I could think any further, I felt someone's hand over my left shoulder. I turned around and found Linda standing there.

"Come with me to the kitchen." She ordered and left. I followed her, the pain in my chest was increasing. It was a weird feeling.

     As I entered the kitchen, Linda was sitting on a chair in the corner. "Why didn't you come yesterday?" She questioned. And at once I froze, I thought for a while and remembered what Zack told her on the call.

"I was unwe..." And before I could complete my sentence, "I only wanna know the truth." And after hearing that I decided to confess.

"I was out with someone."

"With Zack. To the outskirt of the city." I looked up, all surprised.

"Do you remember, we decided something last week. Let me repeat that for you. We are going to have a half day next Sunday and we will all go to the Traviston Road. And if you don't know that place where you were chilling out with you Best Friend- Zack, is the same place. I saw you sitting outside the theatre." She completed and took a deep breath.

     I've never felt this guilty in my life. What have I done. I feel so embarrassed and ashamed. I couldn't look up. "I'm sorry."

"No Paige, I don't need your sorry. You've been the most trustworthy and hardworking person in this café. But yesterday... You could have told me the truth." She said and I looked at her. Now she didn't looked angry, she was upset.

"I'm really sorry. I'll never do something like this again." I tried to hold back my tears.

"Don't be honey. You are like a family to me. We care for you. And I trust you that's why I didn't call your mom. This is a last chance to you. And yes be careful of that guy, whatever his name is." She got up and went out. I took a deep breath and drank a glass of water. 'I'll never repeat that Linda. I promise.'