In Love With The Enemy

Chapter 25: Strange Reactions

"The allure of love is to have someone who knows you so well that you don't have to explain yourself. It is the promise of someone who cares enough about you to protect you against the world of strangers who do not wish you well." ~Deborah Tannen

☔︎・☔︎・☔︎

"Aren't you nervous?" I asked Gabriel. We are inside his car, getting to school. It is the first Monday after my birthday.

"Nervous?" He furrowed his eyebrows. "No, why would I be?" he asked.

I sighed. "'Cause, you know? People talk," I answered.

"And why should I be concerned about that?" He shrugged.

I groaned. "I'm worried about what they would think of us." I bit my lip. "The girls that like you would also probably kill me," I added and he laughed.

"I wouldn't let them kill you, babe. They'd have to go through me before they get to you," he said.

I smiled. He didn't realize how effortlessly sweet he said that.

"I think they already know about us too. A lot of familiar faces are at your party and as you have said, people talk." He shrugged.

"I didn't invite the whole school, Gabriel. I only invited people I trust so, of course, they wouldn't speak about what happened to anyone," I retorted.

"Do you plan to keep us a secret?" he asked.

"No, of course not. I'm just scared of how people may react, " I answered.

He sighed. "Fine."

I furrowed my eyebrows when he stopped the car. I looked around and saw that we are only a few blocks away from school.

"I'll drop you off here and I'll watch you enter school so, in that way, no one would know that we got here together. I don't want to force you if you are still not ready to let other people know about us, " he told me.

"Is that okay with you?" I asked.

"I am okay with anything that makes you feel at ease, " he answered and I felt my heart do somersaults. I don't know how he never fails to make my heart flutter.

Mustering up my courage, I said, "No, we'll enter school together."

"Are you sure you won't regret?" he asked, checking my reaction.

"Regretting letting people know we're together also mean that I regret getting into a relationship with you so no, I would never regret, " I answered.

He smiled. "Damn. I think I fell harder. Why do you do this to me, Lianna?"

I chuckled. You have this effect on me too, Gabriel.

He parked his car in his usual parking spot. He told me to wait for him before getting out of the car. I shook my head when he opened the door for me and helped me get down.

"Careful now. I might get used to this, " I told him.

He shrugged. "I don't mind."

We entered the school hand in hand. Everyone looked in our direction when they noticed us together.

I tightened my grip on Gabriel's hand. "People are staring, " I whispered.

"Look at me." He shook my hand but I didn't listen. I was too anxious by the gazes they were giving us.

"Lianna, I'm getting jealous, " Gabriel blurted out.

I quickly turned to him. "Huh? Why?"

"You're looking at others when you should only be focused on me!" he exclaimed. People started whispering to one another.