A Curly Mess Of Emotions✓

8

(Stephanie's Point Of View)

"Wanna go on a campus tour?"

Tour sounds...good, actually.

I agreed.

We walked towards the bus stop (NUS is so big they have their own shuttle service) and waited for the next shuttle to arrive.

We took about, two hours to cover the main areas of the campus. Everytime I think it couldn't get better, NUS always proved me wrong. If it wasn't for the ego I held against my mom right now I would have screamt it out loud- This is heaven. It was around two in the afternoon when we decided to stop. We stepped out of the University Town, which was the most social area of the campus, and decided to return back.

"Where do you live?"

"Why do you wanna know?"

"So that I can be a gentleman and drop you off."

I stared at him, dumbfounded.

"Unless you're hungry that is, we can go out to eat," he added.

"Uh no I'm good,' I assured him.

Unfortunately, my stomach rumbled JUST as I said that.

"Are you sure? Your stomach says otherwise," he teased. Hmph.

I gave in.

We went back into the U Town Cafeteria. I got myself chicken fried rice while Mark grabbed a veg burger from MacDonalds. I made a weird face, unintentionally, I assure you.

"Are you judging me for a burger right now?"

I swallowed my food. "I just don't see the point of someone eating a vegetarian heap of leaves inside what's supposed to be a burger in one of the most cultural diverse and oriental countries," I shrugged.

He snorted. "You do you, shortcake." Having said that he dived into his burger leaving me to make another face. This time intentionally so.

As we got up to keep our trays away the president of the University came up to me. "Ah, Ms. Parker, I was hoping I'd run into you."

Uh oh. Not a great time, I wanted to say.

"We know that you all are specially abled and......." He gave a hella long speech which basically explained the great counseling system NUS has. I have to say, the principal is pretty good with his words. I would have actually been relieved a bit, only if Mark wasn't standing behind me.
He was standing, arms crossed, with a poker face.

He left.

"Why didn't you tell me you're dyslexic?"
"Cause I'm not. It's OCD," I replied.
" Yeah whatever. You know what I meant."

I did not know what to say. Should I play along? Should I confess? And confess what, exactly?

"I didn't want to lose you," I hesitantly answered.

He raised an eyebrow.

"I never had any friends in middle school or high school. I was always quiet, and never opened up to anybody, that is except Andy. And after he left..." I faltered. There goes out friendship down the drain.
Ironically, he smiled. And then hugged me. Mark just hugged me.

"What did I tell you earlier? I'm not leaving you. You can be one of the secret services for all I care. Trust me a little next time," he smiled.

I relaxed. He's an angel I swear.

"So, shall I take you for lunch today?"
"Do I have a choice?" I playfully questioned.
"No you don't" I raised my hands in submission.

We went to KFC. Except, we were joined by a guest on our way there to the UTown.
"So Andrew, what brings you here in KFC?" Mark started.
"I don't know, food I guess?" I laughed at that. I don't know why, but Andy gives me the feels for some reason.
I couldn't stop staring at how much he's changed and how much he's still the same. From the way his fluffy hair falls to the side to the way his crooked tooth enhances his smile.

Soon after we finished, Andy paid up for his meal and left as he had to call his grandmother. That was sweet of him, in a way. I felt touched, and I wondered how his grandma would have felt.

It was only Mark and me now, again.
He was staring hard at me.

I asked him if he's okay.

"What's going on with you and Andrew?"
That was unexpected.
Actually, no.
That was expected.

"What do you mean?"
"Well you were staring at him for most of the time and all. So? Whats up?"

"I don't know!" I honestly replied.

He raised his eyebrow.

"I honestly don't know Mark. I mean,I have these weird feels when I'm around him, like butterflies and I feel really weird around him these days," I confessed.

Oh, curse me for having these feelings.

There was silence until Mark spoke again.

"Stephanie, have you ever been in love before?"
"No,"
"Like, no crushes or dating? Never?"

"Nope. Never," I replied. "Love is just a formality, a waste of time," I added.

"And what makes you think that?"
"Experiences. Not my own tho, just third person visualisation."

Mark winced.

"And what if I tell you that you already are in love without knowing it?"

I was puzzled.

"What do you mean?" I asked.
"I mean...love isn't something you have control over. You don't get to decide who you fall in love with. You just...do," He explained.

"So what are you trying to say?" I asked.
"I mean to say that you should give love a chance. It's not that bad you know... ever heard of Romeo and Juliet?" he asked.
"Oh the couple who died? Yeah,"

Mark sighed.

"Yeah. The couple who sacrificed their lives for each other," he reasoned.
"They died! It's the same thing," I argued.
"No it isn't. See it from the other point of view also,"
I sighed. He should be in a debate team or something.

"And why should I give it a chance?"
"Because I think you're already in love!"
"With whom?"

He hesitated before saying-

"Shortcake I..I think you have a crush on Andrew,"

And that's when, the lights went off.

_______________________________________

Hello my lovely readersss👋👋

Kinda short chapter there, but I hope you don't mind;-)
Hope this chapter suffices your hunger (if you have any for the book, that is). If it does..do vote, comment and add it to your library for updates 🔔♥

Also..I promised to give a shoutout to the person who gets the word (which was ADORABLE) in the last chapter (I'm sooo sorry I forgot) and it goes to...
queen_taehee (Girl ily please keep reading)!!!!

Lots of love
Alisha🌈

QOTD: Team Mark or Team Andrew?? Let me know in the comments!