Sunshiny Things (Original)

Ch. 40 Chaos Takes Three

Freya

Two weeks.

     It's been two weeks since the last time I talked to Cole.

     It's been two weeks since I laughed with Cole, bantered with Cole, saw his smile, saw him.

     He hasn't shown up to school nor have I seen him anywhere in our apartment complex. As if I wasn't already confused enough about my emotions or feelings. But now, I miss him. I actually miss that curly headed meanie who mocks me for my music taste and has a secret list in his back pocket of childlike nicknames to call me.

     I would be lying if I said I wasn't concerned for him. But then again, this is the type of thing that he does. leaves as soon as things get a little bumpy. I also would be lying though if I said a part of me is glad that I haven't seen him, because quite frankly, I don't know what I would do if I saw him again.

     "Oh come on, you barely beat me by two points," Dace protested. I unlock the door to my apartment, shaking my head at Daces' sore words in the process.

     "Oh come on, Dacey poo," I mock in a baby voice. "Sad that you lost to a wittle girl like me?"

     Dace graciously invited me to the arcade with him this weekend. And of course, I accepted considering the fact you can never go wrong with rigged claw games and cute boys. It's the perfect mix. But now, Dace is sour that I'm a better basketball player than him. 

     "I want a rematch. You only won because of the stepping stool," Dace continues to protest as we make our way to the living room.

     "Excuses, excuses," I say as I plop myself down on the welcoming couch. Dace does the same, letting out a soft chuckle before throwing one of the couch pillows at me. But I only quickly do the same with a laugh as well. "Admit it, you would have let me win anyways." Dace raises his eyebrows at me, and I smirk a little to add to my challenging words.

     "Oh yeah?" Dace asks and I nod my head. Dace wraps his arm around the back of the couch before leaning in more towards me. "Look, Gibson, you might be unexceptionally adorable and charming, but no one, and I mean no one gets in the way of my competitiveness." I too though lean in more towards him, copying his stare.

     "Is that a challenge?" I grin and I watch as a smirk creeps its way onto Dace's lips.

     "Come and get me, baby."

     His words cause my heart rate to pick up at an unexpected pace. But I just played it off by saying, "challenge accepted." Dace lets out a soft laugh, one that causes my heart to race even more. I watch as Dace's hazel eyes scan over the entirety of my face, making a blush quickly overcome it. His eyes land on my lips, and I smile slightly to show him that I notice.

     You are so smitten. The words of Miss. Woods randomly pop into my head. I want to shake away the thoughts. I want to take a big fat frying pan and whack the words across the face with it. But then again, I can't seem to escape them. Escape him.

     My breath hitches as Dace slowly starts to lean in, his gaze still locked on my lips. but I don't even make an attempt to move or back away. Even though I know deep down that I want to. And I hate myself for that.

     "I can't," I finally blurt out as his nose almost brushes mine. Our eyes lock before he moves back slightly with a look of hurt plastered on his face. "I'm--I'm sorry." Never mind, I take it back. I want to take a big fat frying pan and whack me across the face with it.

     Dace lets out a rough sigh and he leans back all the way, ruffling a hand through his fluffy brunette hair out of what I'm sure is frustration.

     "I don't get it, Freya," Dace snaps once he locks eyes with mine again. "One minute I think that we might actually be getting somewhere, and then you won't even kiss me." I don't say anything or even attempt to because I know I can't give him the answer he wants. I don't even know the true answer myself. "Is this about Cole?" my eyes quickly widen at his sudden question. maybe even too quickly. You are so smitten, the words pop up again. Shut up brain!

     "Wha--what?" I question with a tiny breath of air added. "Of--of course not. No. Definitely no."

     "Ok, then what is it? Cause right now, I'm thinking that you don't even like me at all!" Again, I don't say anything. I just stare at him with what are now glossy eyes from the tears that are starting to form. I'm so freaking tired of crying all the damn time! I like him. deep, deep down I know that I really like him. but for some reason, I can't bring myself to feel it.

     "I--I don't know--"

     "You don't know?" Dace quickly interrupts. I can't help nor stop the stream of tears that glide down my cheeks. Every single drop of one reminds me that I'm pathetic, weak. "Freya, I need more. I want more than this off and on relationship that we have, if that."

     "I can't give you that, ok!" I finally admit while standing up. I roughly run my hands through my hair and over my face which is currently not containing my mom's glasses right now. "I'm--I'm not what you want, trust me. You'd be better off just--just--"

     "Just what?" Dace interrupts again before standing up as well, his height hovering above my small figure. "I've told you once and I'll tell you again, I want you and I don't care if you think that that's not true." Dace takes a step towards me. And surprisingly, I allow it to happen and don't take a step back myself.

     "Freya," Dace softly says, but my teary eyes don't move from their spot staring at the ground. "Give this a chance, please. Give us a chance." Slowly, my eyes make their way to his and the look that he's giving me currently makes me want to crumble. My lips part as I inhale a sharp breath as Dace suddenly captures my hand in his. I look down at our conjoined fingers, having a slight urge to pull away. but I don't. "Please," Is Daces final plea as he gives my hand a tiny squeeze. I feel an internal battle being fought inside me. one between my brain, and one between my heart. As cheesy as that sounds. but I can't seem to decipher who I want the true victor to be.

     But then suddenly, a knock sounds on the door, causing me to abruptly break away from Dace.

     "Don't answer it," Dace demands as I back away from him. ButI completely ignored his cry, taking off for the door as I tried to wipe away the smudged mascara stains from underneath my eyes. A part of me is relieved that that conversation was over, or at least put on hold. Even though I know that I'll never truly have the answers to Daces hardy questions.

     I reach my front door letting in a deep breath to try and relieve some of the tension in the air. But as soon as I swing open the door, the fake smile on my face disappears and is replaced by a look of surprise.

     "Cole?" I ask rather than say, knowing that the only thing to come...is chaos.

~~~

Whoop whoop, Coleslaw has entered the chat!

I swear I'm not on drugs.

Not currently at least...kidding.

Anyways, today in the real world is FREYA GIBSONS BIRTHDAY!!

*Twerks out of excitement to Fergalicious*

Cole better be giving her tons of Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream with unlit candles on top.

I didn't make the rules...
<3
P.s. *i did*