The Fifth Date

Chapter 18

I continuously stared at you thinking of a horrendous way to kill myself as soon as I get home and not show my face to you ever again.

“Aren’t you gonna say anything?” You shook your head, raising a brow at me.

I heaved a sigh and brought my palms to my face, wiping it helplessly, as if I can just rub it off.

“Look, I’m sorry,” I said once I failed erasing my face.

“For what?” You swiftly asked.

“—I don’t normally talk,” I paused trying to figure out what to say “—to people.”

Yeah ‘cause I only talk to books, flowers, windows, and whatnots. I saw you smile amusingly. Now, you probably think, I’m stupid. Don’t worry. You’re on the right track.

“I must have made you uncomfortable for saying such things.” I continued as I stared at my coffee, trying to avoid your eyes.

I heard you chuckle. I lifted my eyes to peek at you. You leaned towards the table and shrugged. “I admit, it was awkward at first—“

You paused as you laughed gorgeously.

“—but I’ve been meaning to talk to you. I just couldn’t find the right time and way since you look like you’ve built yourself a great wall of China.” You stared at me intently, frowning, trying to figure out if it offended me. Don’t worry it didn’t. I just didn’t tell you.

“I mean you know. You seem to like being aloneand all. But really, I wanted to talk to you and even though how odd our conversation may have started,” You sighed and flashed those perfect white teeth of yours as you grinned amusingly, “ –I’m glad we talked.”

I might need an oxygen tank. I just stopped breathing. My heart just jumped off from chest and now on my lap beating erratically. Someone, call me a doctor.

You cleared your throat and shifted in your seat. “So, let’s just start over.”

“I’m June. June Cook.” You reached out your hand to me across the table. “And I meant what I said. Especially the ‘you being beautiful’ part.” You raised your brows and your eyes magically turned into tiny slits as you smiled.

And in that fleeting moment, I, indeed, felt beautiful. I was thrown into a mudpile of embarrassment but I was beautiful. You made me feel beautiful. How on earth did I manage to believe you? That—I certainly didn’t know.