Cruel Stakes High Roller

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[7] Flip

I have not encountered anyone who had walked away from me more times than Felice did. Something was indeed wrong, it's as if she wanted me to change my ways.

Why, what's wrong with me? I have everything, isn't everything good enough?

Meeting her in PE was harder than I expected. This time, Felice really took the time to avoid me.

But I had to win this bet.

I had to have Karen. It's not much about Karen anymore, but everyone knew about this dare. If I didn't make it work, then it's going to be a huge point against me and my reputation as a ladies man.

This is where I believe that I'm in too deep, the point of no return.

"Felice, wait up!" I hurried after her; Justin's not around so she must have no chaperone today.

"You will just never give up, will you?" She murmured under her breath

"Why do you hate me so much?"

With this, she stopped to look at me.

Felice was in Psychology, she should know where I'm driving at. And being in Communications, I took this as an opportunity to explain myself.

"I like you, okay. Is that so hard to see?" Oh God, yes it is hard to see. What the hell, even I can't believe what I'm telling her.

"Liar."

And there goes my chance.

"If you just listen, Felice," I told her amidst the noisy background of the covered courts. "If you hate me this much, how are you supposed to hear me out? Can't we just start from a clean slate? We started on the wrong foot, I know that...and I'm sorry, but if you want me to change so badly, why don't you start by telling me what's not to like?" I smirked, oh I have her now.

"There. THERE!" She scoffed, rolling her eyes quite unattractively, "NUMERO UNO, Anthony. You're an arrogant pig, that's one. What's not to like..." She said sarcastically. "You think you're all that, but you're not. Not everyone loves you, not everyone is in love with you. Only you are." She stomped her feet, inching towards my foot.

"I beg to disagree—

"Narcissistic fool!" She cursed under her breath.

"Ow!" I said. Seriously, it did sting. Where did all these rants come from? "Can you talk to me calmly; I have ears, no need to scream at me."

"Sorry, but I am really angry at what you did. People believed you even if it wasn't true." Maybe it really was not true... What am I saying?

"A 'Sorry, but' isn't really an apology" I tried to make light of things but it really wasn't cutting the ice.

She counted her breaths as she stared at our feet.

If I didn't act now, her spiteful tirade will become painful in a minute. "I'll walk you to Unit 1?" I offered as she finally calmed down, and we walked together.

It wasn't as horrid as I expected. She didn't spend all the time ranting about the things she thought was wrong with me.

Turns out, Felice didn't like to criticize; it's just me who pushed her to do so. Maybe it was because I was really unkind to her that caused her to feel so much angst.

She talked like my former guidance counselor, warm and praising. In some moments when she tried to recall how I did her wrong, and explain to me why me-liking-her was an impossibility of the moment, her voice sounded a little detached.