No Filter

Chapter XVI (16)

Two days pass, and school came once more. Yesterday was a doozy with the customers. There was a couple who kept bickering, a kid who kept whining, a strange man who was checking more than just pets, and a woman appearing in and out.

And now I have school to deal with. Which means I will have to see Liam, and I am not in the mood to. The night of his party I was not acting right. First, I decided to kiss Troy. Second, I try to prove myself that I can handle the alcohol. And third, I storm out like a drama queen. I shake my head in disappointment.

And now, I have to confront Liam about the night. Why did I do this to myself? I should have gone home. I wouldn't have a cut on my hand. I wouldn't have met his girlfriend. I wouldn't done all those wild things that I did. Why did I do them? I know for sure that I wasn't drunk. I was sober but not drunk.

I hold onto the strap of my backpack and walk into Journalism. The first thing I try to avoid was Liam. But luckily, he wasn't in the room. I take a random spot in the back, and as soon as I got settled, he entered the room. His eyes crease, probably from not seeing me. His eyes shift around the room, searching for me. I duck my head onto the desk, so we couldn't make eye contact.

A few seconds later, I lift my head and see him sitting down in his usual spot. He sat three desks ahead and two desks to my left. No one occupy the seat beside him, and a void appeared in my stomach. I feel bad and guilty that I abandon him, but I think it's better that way. Maybe by the distance, my feelings for him will go away for good.

The teacher stood in front of the podium. She had flicked the light switch off and turned on the projector. Images were displayed on the smart board. "Alright, students, today, we need to begin wrap up on this month's newspaper." Her eyes search for me in my seat as I was the head of the newspaper. "Has anybody seen Ally?"

Panicked, I raise my hand slowly, and everyone turned their eyes on me. Their judgement on me couldn't have been any worse. But none of them mattered to me except for the sad look in Liam's eyes. He only glanced at me before turning back to the front.
—
I walk out of the cafeteria, heading to the student center. I carry my backpack over my shoulder and walk pass a couple of students.

"Ally," I hear Zayn's voice behind me. I stop and turn around. My brows crease. He rushes to me and pants as he speaks, "Hey."

"Hi?" I question. His face seemed puzzled and worried. "Is there a problem?"

"No, no, Liam is looking for you," he says.

"Oh," I mumble. "Do you know where he is?"

Zayn shakes his head. "I think he should be at lunch. Or maybe in the student center."

I nod my head and give him a farewell. I decide to check the student center because that was the closest between the cafeteria and the room. I walk and take a quick glance at each corner and area. He wasn't there. I turn around after checking once more to make sure he wasn't.

As I turn, my body collided with a familiar feeling. I bounce off of them and bat my eyes. Stood before me was the tall and charming Troy. The Troy who asked me to help him study. The Troy who asked to Liam's birthday party. The Troy that I kissed over Liam.

His lips curve into a smile. "Hey," he greets. He tucks his hands into his pocket nervously.

"Hi," I blink a couple of times.

A breath escapes from his lips that resembles a sigh and a laugh. "I, uh, I need to talk to you about something. Can we talk right now?"

I nod my head. "Yeah, sure." We walk to the set of couches in the student center. We set our bags down beside our feet, and I crossed my legs. "What do you want to talk to me about?"

"The kiss," he says.

My heart races. My mouth became dry, and my cheeks burn as I question whether or not I heard him correctly. "Excuse me?" I ask softly.

He wets his lips and scoots closer. "I want to talk about the kiss," he explains.

I nod my head. We stare at each other for a moment as I wait for him to speak up about it. A couple of awkward seconds flew by, and I raise my voice. "Do you want me to go first?" I ask.

He shakes his head. "No, I can go first." He takes a moment to get prepared. "Okay, well...you pulled me into a kiss, and I never felt such sparks with anyone I've been with before. It was amazing."

"Thanks," I crease my brows, "I guess." I shrug, not knowing how to express feelings that I felt into words. "Um..." I begin, and it took me a while to figure out the words. "...it was different. And it was better than the previous guy I dated."

"That's it?" He questions.

I shrug. "I don't know. I can't put what I felt into words. I mean, at first it was disturbing for me, but I got use to it, and I guess, I kind of liked it."

"You did?" He smiles. "Well, I have to ask you something. It's been on my mind ever since you talked to me at the bonfire. Ever since that day, I couldn't get you out of my head, and I just want to ask you - can I take you out on a date? Just at least one date."

I bite my bottom lip, unsure. He's been sweet to me and showed me a lot of his concern. But I don't know. I wasn't attracted to him like that. He was a friend of mine. I don't see him the way that I see Liam.

I shake my head out of frustration. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to stress you out," he says

I raise and shake my head on that. "No, no. That wasn't towards you. I was thinking about something else."

"I'll give you time to think about it," he says. "I understand from a broken heart myself."

My brows crease. "What?"

He sighs heavily. "I had this girl, and we've been dating for two years, and I thought we were going to be childhood sweethearts, but she cheated on me with Brett Myers."

"Oh," I comment. "Why would this have to do with me?"

"Because I know the look of a broken heart when I see one. Or at least someone who lost someone they love," he says. "If you don't mind me asking, who?"

"Who?"

He nods his head. "Who did you lose?"

I shrug, not knowing how reply back. I didn't have my heart broken. "Yes, I did lose someone," I reply. "We used to be close, but their grandmother die. Ever since then, he became distant, and I became distant as well." Tears sting my eyes just thinking about it.

"I'm sorry," he says, taking my hand. I wipe the tear escaping my waterline. "Are you alright?"

I nod my head. "Yeah. I am."

He rubs my back softly. "I'm going to go back, and I'll give you time to think."

"Okay," I said. He caresses my arm once more before standing up. I watch him as he leaves.