Love Exchange (Paused)

Chapter 7 : Hesitation

PART OF VOICE: Jake

I really miss the time with Amanda. I miss talking to her, I miss seeing her smile, I miss all the things about her. Yet she is clueless about this all. How I wish I had the gut to tell her what the truth is.

I wore blue navy shirt and jeans. I took my backpack and got out of my room. I took my car key that was hanging on the living room's wall then I bid my mother goodbye. I went outside and got in the car. I started the engine and drove away. I turned on the music player and listened to Half A Heart by One Direction. I sang along with the music, "Only half a blue sky, kinda there but not quite. I'm walking around with just one shoe, I'm half a heart without you".

The red light flared and I immediately stepped on my right foot on the brake pedal. I kept singing along because I thought this song was telling about me and Amanda. All of sudden somebody knocked my car's window. I immediately looked up at the sound where was come from. There I saw Jessie was knocking out my window. I pressed the window's button down.

"Jakie, are you going to school? Can you give me a ride?" asked her as she showed her please-do-me-a-favor face.

"Sure, get in. Be careful." Jessie opened the door of the passenger seat.

Jessie got in the car and coincidentally the green light flared. I stepped on the gas pedal slowly and started driving.

"Didn't catch the bus?" I asked as I kept on my eyes focus on the road.

"Sort of. I was waiting for a bus but then I saw you, so I thought I could go with you if you don't mind," answered her doubtfully.

"Of course, I don't mind. I don't want to see you standing there alone like a lost puppy too," I answered, trying to break the ice.

"You do?" answered Jessie as she beamed at me right away.

'I don't want to hurt her feeling. Lying is the best way to take care of her feeling'

"Yeah.." I said as I bit my lower lip.

"Oh really? Um thanks." answered her as she smiled at me

***

I parked my car and got out of the car. I waited for Jessie to get out of the car for seconds. I walked in to the school with Jessie.

"What classes do you have today?" asked Jessie as we kept walking through students in the corridor

"History, Math and Physics. What about you?" asked me as I beamed at her

"Chemistry, Physics and English. Jake?" suddenly she stopped and held my hand

"Yes?" I asked as I looked at her straight in the eyes

"You look good today" said her as she stared at me

I was silent and a lil bit surprised hearing what she just said. Suddenly I heard crowd of girls calling out her name. Jessie turned around and waved at them saying "Girls?!" then she turned back to me again.

"I gotta go. Thanks for the ridel," she touched my right shoulder

"You're welcome. Take care," I said that all of sudden

"You too," answered her as she smiled at me

She walked away and approached that crowd of girls. I turned left and went to my class. While I was walking along the way to class, I was thinking about Jessie. The way she look at me is different, the way she talk to me is different either. But what about Amanda? I admit it, I used to like Jessie but I want Amanda.

PART OF VOICE: Amanda

I went to the canteen alone. I took my meals and what I had on my meals was only mashed potato, milk and choco volcano. I looked around to find someone to sit with. Then I saw a girl with curly brown hair was sitting alone. I walked approaching her and touched her back, then I saw a very similar face. I was very surprised seeing her here.

"Carrie?!" I said with shocked face

"Amanda?!!" said her as she stood up trying to hug me

"Why didn't you tell me you study here?" I asked as put my meals on the table

"I forgot about that. I was about to tell you where my school is but you got a call. Come on, sit here." she explained

"Oh I see. It was Mrs. Howard telling me that she was already outside of Starbucks so yeah." I answered as I put my butt on the yellow seat

"So Mrs. Howard you were talking about is our biology teacher? I thought it was another Howards. That's why I didn't ask."

"Yes. Why are you alone?" I queried as I took a gulp of my milk

"I'm waiting for Alex but he is not coming yet."

"Oh what should I do when he's here?"

"Just chill out, I will introduce you to him"

I ate my mashed potato and all of sudden I noticed Carrie turned around then stood up. A guy with tight grey shirt and jeans came approaching her and gave her a kiss on the lips. I stood up and gave him a smile

"Oh Alex, this is Amanda. The student exchange from Adelaide" said Carrie as she put her left arm around his right arm

"Hi I'm Alex. Everyone's talking about you." said Alex all of sudden

"I'm Amanda. Um excuse me?" I asked as I stared at him

"What do you mean Alex?" asked Carrie to Alex

"You're new here, that's why and also about her and Miller? I'm sorry about that Amanda" explained Alex doubtfully

"Miller? Amanda, you have met Miller?" asked Carrie curiously

"Yes I have?" I answered as I bit my lower lip

"Okay I gotta go to gym. The Baker Team is gonna play. See you later girls."

Alex left then we sat again. Carrie was still staring at me

"What happened to you and Miller?" asked Carrie curiously

I explained her everything about my first meeting with Miller until the last time I saw him.

"You don't know him? How come?" asked Carrie shockedly

"I don't. What's so weird?" I answered as I rolled my eyes

"Miller is Mrs. Howard's son! Seriously, are you kidding me? You don't know about this? Didn't she tell you?"

"What? so it means I live in the same place as Miller? Mrs. Howard was about to tell me about him but then her daughter came, so she forgot about that. I thought her son didn't study here. What should I do?"