Behind Her Smile

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fourteen: Mop Date

Ro writes down what that the teacher had written on the board, but for the life of him he couldn’t recall what he was supposed to be learning. He had to read over what he had previously written for him to understand the lesson.

Ro sneaks a glance to Dex, which seems like the twentieth time he had done so in the last hour, who wasn’t sitting next to him like she usually does, but next to her new friend Rosie. Normally that would be fine, they didn’t need to be attached at the hip, except for the fact that Dex is completely avoiding him and the distance between them right now made it more obvious how she is drifting away. Has been that way ever since he had caught her at the gym nearly two weeks ago. As soon as he had said her name, she had ran away from him.

She hadn’t even answered his inquiries on what had made her cry and Dex had distanced herself from him. She would avoid being alone with him and whenever he would try to talk to her, she would barely say two words in response before she is making an excuse to leave.

She is different and Ro is at a loss as to what caused that change.

Dex insists on them taking different cars, she hasn’t broken into his house once to wake him up, and when he sees her in class, she is the last to come and the first to leave. She is pulling away from him and she still has a smile on his face.  

Meanwhile, he has been absolutely miserable. A complete wreck. He curses himself for stepping out and catching herself at a weak moment.

Since she refuses to answer him when he asked why had she changed, the only conclusion he had made is that she is embarrassed for having been caught at such a vulnerable moment. He wanted to just ask her if she was okay and reassure her, but she avoids him at every opportunity she gets. It is frustrating.

But he was determined to get answers today from her. She has avoided him long enough.

"Class is dismissed."

As soon as Ro hears those words, he gathers his belonging in his arms and stands up with the intent to intercept Dex before she can escape to her car.

He doesn’t take his eyes off Dex who is already out of her seat and heading to the door. "Hey Dex!" He yells trying to stop her, but it looks like she pretends not to hear him. Ro chuckles nervously when he sees the rest of the class look at him with a mixture of amusement and pity. Ro face turns red.  

Ro sidesteps his classmates as he sees Dex almost to the exit. He runs over and manages to stop her before she exits the door.

Her eyes widen as she sees him in front of her. "Hey, Dex. Can I talk to you?"

Dex averts her gaze and looks around him like she is looking for an escape. It is Rosie, who is behind her, who actually answers him. "Actually we have plans."

Ro gives her a pointed glare. He didn’t say it out loud, but his eyes were clearly saying to stay out of their business. Could she just leave? This matter is between Dex and him.

Ro tries to catch Dex's eyes but she avoids his gaze. Now she cant even looks at him? "It will only take a moment," he promises, well really he begs, "Come on, Dex. Talk to me."

Dex looks around him. Probably at the people who were giving them dirty looks for blocking the entrance. "Lets go outside first."

Ro nods as he feels hope. At least she hadn’t said no.

Ro moves out of the doorway and he moves closer to Dex. She shuffles a few steps back.

He frowns in disappointment.