She Doesn't Mind

ten: Flirting

Why on Earth would he say that? Is there something I'm not getting? What the fuck is wrong with me.

The party kept going and I went back to where my friends are. Cain is on stage playing one of their original songs which most of the audience knew, unsurprisingly.

"I saw that," Jake said and I was confused. He rolled his eyes, "You and Cain being grossly attracted to each other," he said as if certain.

I laughed awkwardly, "What? No, that's nothing, you know me," I denied.

His eyebrow raised but just shrugged, "True but I can tell you're attracted."

That got me thinking, maybe it's true. I'm slightly attracted but only because he's mature. And mysterious, and a drummer, and his cute occasional laughs that got me cooing.

The party was ending, Cole went up front for remarks and to announce the awards. Cain was up front with his band and oh my god he's laughing with them. I wish I could hear him.

Diane got the Best Female Costume award with her Corpse Bride. She deserves it, the outfit was sick. There was also an award for Best Ghost Costume which was really funny. And now they're announcing Best Couple Costume, "Who wanna bet it's gonna be Jake and Cole?" I said.

They shouted in excitement and Jake rolled his eyes but still laughed.

"Cain Arceles and Lilac Preco!" Cole mentioned my name and I was stunned. What? Why us? I mean I would get why Cain is but why include me?

My friends were now pushing me to go upstage and I went on with it. It's mostly Cain's influence, I just know it.

He's standing near the stairs of the stage waiting for me and I hurried, we went together. Cole placed a sash over us and handed a pumpkin shaped gift bag, cute. They took our photos but Cain thought something else, he held my hand up to his face and kissed it. My cheeks flamed but I'm convinced it's just the alcohol.

The audience went wild as we went down. I returned to my friends and they embraced me with profanities. "Lyle you're fucking living the dream you little shit."

"I want Cain to kiss my hand too," Emily said, drunk.

"That boy has the hots for you Lyle, I just know it," Jake said and I rolled my eyes.

"He doesn't, stop it," I denied.

Cole wished us a happy semestral break and urged us to go to the center for the last dance. A slow dance. I saw Cain on the other side with their vocalist playfully messing with his hair. My feet moved to hopefully ask him to dance but I was stopped by Jonah, he held his hands up and I took it.

"I wanna be friends," he said as we danced and I was relieved.

Then a guy in a ghost costume asked if he could dance with me and with a chuckle, I said yes. Turns out he was Kyle from Philo, we sometimes sit together in class. "Nice costume," I said.

"Thanks, it took me a week to make this," and I laughed.

Not long before more guys asked me for a dance and all of them were funny, some were awkward but it's still cute. It was when I was dancing with a guy from Architecture that 4 guys stopped us and asked me altogether. I laughed awkwardly.

Uhm, what do I do?

I was getting cornered, the four of them extended their hand to me. I was about to place my hand on the guy dressed as Sherlock when someone stole me away, dragging me to the less crowded part of the gym.

"You sure love to dance, huh," he mentioned and I chuckled.

"They're fun," I said remembering every conversation I had with the boys I danced with. I grinned and we started dancing.

"How many had asked you?" He asked but his tone was playful, it kinda disappointed me.

"I don't know, I didn't count," I said with a shrug.

"Yeah well, they had their fun, it's my turn with you now," he said with a snicker.

Why would he say that.

I blushed. "Aren't you gonna ask someone else?"

Now this is just me making him say what I want.

He stared at me, confused, "Why?" And I tried my best not to show a smile.

I'm being really stupid right now.

Of course he'd ask why, "So it won't just be me," I said as if it was an obvious answer.

"No thanks, I wasn't your first dance even though we're partners so I wanted to be your last," He said like it was nothing.

Something moved inside me as he said that, it was the answer I wanted. "Clyde was busy stealing hearts so I went to have fun."

He laughed, "Steal hearts? All I know is that we only steal money."

God I love hearing him laugh.

"These girls fell for you the moment you started playing," and I laughed, remembering Kylie and Emily fangirling earlier.

He paused for a while, "Well, did you?" He asked and I short-circuited. What?

I looked up at him, confusion in my face and he just laughed. Stop. That's not fair.

"By the way, can you drive? You drank too much," he changed the subject which I actually preferred him do.

"I'm sober, you're the one with the motorcycle," and I leaned my head to his chest as we dance.

I'm starting to feel tired.

"I'm a great driver," he said and I snickered, "want me to drive you home?" He asked, I nodded.

Wasn't long before the party was over and we all headed out, Cain drove me home and I said thanks. I wanted so bad to just kiss him on the cheeks but I couldn't. I was concerned about how he'd react which I usually don't think about but here I am.

I waved goodbye and said goodnight and he's off.

"God you could've just went for it! Lyle, he was right there you big fucking idiot!" I scolded myself as I buried my face into the cushion.

I don't even know why I'm bothered by this, I mean I know why but I'm just attracted to him that's all.

The ceiling faced me and I recalled everything that's happened tonight. I smiled. Remembering the intimate distance between us earlier. If I didn't know better I'd think Cain was flirting with me all evening. But I do, so...

If only he was flirting with me. I tossed and turned on the sofa while thinking about tonight.

Okay I'll admit, maybe I do like him. But not enough to want a relationship. This feeling will end soon.

Hopefully.