The Reason Why

Chapter One

It had been two weeks and I know something is wrong with Christopher. I could read it from his expression. He did not fool around, tell any jokes, ruffle my hair or punch me in the back. I craned my neck to catch his eyes, but he kept staring out of the window. His strong frames leaned onto the desk, while his folded arms supported his chin. I often tried to speak to him at recess, but he kept bailing away from me and did not want to look me straight into the eye. Everytime I came near him, he would walk away. His long, tousled jet black hair was not there anymore. He cut them short, turning them into a crew cut. He changed his way of dressing. He was unlike himself. Is it because he hate me or going under a depression?

I could not bear it anymore, seeing him like that.  I decided to sit beside him, taking the opportunity when everyone went for the cafetaria. 

I cleared my throat and tied my neck-length chestnut locks. I poked his right arm with my forefinger. "Hey Chris."

He did not gave a glance for me. His eyes were glued to the window. I tried to find something interesting outside the glass, but there were nothing except the empty basketball court. 

"Christopher Parks, answer me." I kept poking his arm.

Finally he turned to look at me, but his eyes were not full of glee and mischiefs anymore. His mouth was set in an unfriendly, straight line.  "What do you want?"

I was stunned at his words. He never used that sentence before. He always said "Yeah?" or "What's up, Kim?"

For  a moment, I was lost for words.  "Nothing. It's just..."

"Then go away," he said coldly. 

"What did you just say?" I could not believe my ears.

"Leave. I don't want to see you right now." Chris' expression hardened. 

I tried to search into his emerald green eyes, but I saw nothing. Only empitness and frustration. My emotions were flustered. My intention to comfort him turned into agitation. I was angry at him before I knew it.

"Okay. You know what? Fine!" I yelled at him. I didn't mean to yell at him, but it just came out harder than I thought. 

I got up, making my way to the door. I accidentally toppled over a chair but rose up again while cursing under my breath. I ignored the pain and kept walking, almost running. I felt the tears were stinging my eyes, screaming to get out. I refused to cry though I know my eyes were red and brimming with tears. Oh, screw you Chris. How could you?

"Kimberly," he called my name. 

I stopped in my tracks, taking deep breaths to prevent my tears from spilling. I did not want to look at him after all that he had said to me. I did not want to show my tears too so he wouldn't see me as someone weak. I did not want to talk to him anymore.

Before I realize it, he was already standing behind me. I could feel his presence, hear him breathing heavily and smell the familiar scent of his soap. I wonder why he chose jasmine aroma instead of lemon that he used to like.

"Kim, I'm really sorry." he said quietly. "I—I didn't really mean that."

How could he say all of that? What do you expect me to do? Forgive you in a second? There's no way I'll do it; remembering he walked away, bailing from me and told me to leave. I didn't dare to face him because I was afraid to spill my mind or ended up crying in front of him. My brain commanded me to escape from him but my heart said to look to him no matter what. I was in a dilema. 

Then I made my decision. 

I ran.

I bolted for the exit that headed for the basketball court. Suddenly I felt a firm grip on my elbow. I knew it was Chris.

"Don't go. Please," he said, failing to hide the plea on the end of the sentence. His voice was shattered now, revealing the original Chris unlike the ones that belonged to the grim boy with crew cut.I wanted to hug him and tell Chris I forgive him. I wanted to tell him how I missed the old Christopher Parks. I wanted to ask him why he changed and find out if he is okay or not. I wanted them so badly that my tears were starting to moisten my cheeks.  I turned my head. I saw his face was full of longing, sadness and confusion mixed altogether at once.  I knew his eyes were full of guilt as they traced the hint of my tears.

"I..." I opened my mouth to say something, but I couldn't find the exact words. 

His grip tightened when I tried to release myself from him. 

"Kimberly, I'll do anything for you to make you forgive me. Just...stop crying. " he shook his head wistfully. "Stay."

My emotions were flooding. They were overflowing until I was sinking deep. 

"Then," I started, "Tell me why you've changed and ignored me for two weeks."

He was silenced. His gaze dropped unto the floor, unable to look at me. Again. He shuffled in his Nike Air. His long eyelashes hid half of his inexplicable emerald eyes that were running away from me. He pursed his lips. "Because," he paused for a moment.

Only the buzz of laughter and conversations from the cafetaria were heard. 

"Because?" I asked.

"Because. Just because," he finished. He swallowed hard, squeezing my elbow.

"That's not an answer, Christopher." I said to him quietly, almost whispering.

I knew it. He did not trust me at all. 

I yanked my elbow from him and sprinted away.

"Kimberly, wait!" I could hear Chris calling my name. His voice rung in my ears. 

"Kimberly!" he shouted my name again. 

He called for me again and again until his voice was fading away. They kept repeating over and over in my head, trying to take control over me and forced me to return for him. More tears were streaming down. Dang it. I wiped them furiously with the back of my hand. I let myself sob uncontrollably. I don't care if someone heard me. 

Heavy footsteps were coming after me, though they were meters away. No, this is not happenning. Chris was chasing for me, yelling my name.  I bursted crying, yanked open the court's exit and ran for the school's main gate.

I crashed into a few guys that were making their way for the court. 

"Whoa there, baby!" one of them exclaimed as I hit my body into him. 

"Ouch! Watch where you're going!"

"Hey sweetheart, your lover boy is going for youuu!"

"Are you alright there?"

"Oof!"

I stopped where my bike was parked. I snatched it and fumbled for the keys from my pockets. I put myself onto the seat and starting to pedal as hard as I could. My vision was blurry but enough for me to see the way home. I glided quickly down the hill, letting my hair slap my sticky face.  The gusting wind did not calmed my raging emotions. I was still sobbing hard, hyperventilating and feeling sick. 

Christopher Parks, I am so sorry. 

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Play the music to savor the ending of this chapter <3 I love this song! Somehow 'Say' hits home to the title of this book, as if it will be the theme throughout the entire story. 

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Hello there, everyone! This is my very first book in Wattpad and my first chapter. I hope you guys enjoy reading it, because it's stiff and a bit awkward hehehe~ (^.^)v  I'll continue to improve the characters and spill their mind. Anyways, thank you for reading. I really appreciate it very much. It's okay if you don't vote, because it's up to you. Thanks once more for reading!