The Price of being Pretentious

Chapter Thirteen: Dinner

My eyes were watering from tears. Thankfully, I was able to rush out of the treehouse before my tears flowed. I wiped them as I stride. It seems like there was a giant hole in my chest. Plus, it was hammering like crazy. I ran down the road towards the bridge when I saw Paris called out.

'Oh Flip!' I cursed as I saw him, which made me run fast as I could.

I was running at my top speed, but he easily caught up. Damn this long-legged ogre!

'London! Wait!' He called out again.

'Go away, Paris! Why are you following me?'

'Then may I ask you, why are you running away?' He said between heavy breaths.

I sighed. 'Please don't answer a question with another question. I've told you about that already.' I can't run for another mile. So I decided to stop on my tracks, then turned to him.

'Was it because of what I said? Because I said I will miss you?'

I shook my head, preventing the tears from falling.

No. It was more than that. Because I'm scared. I'm a coward. My fear made me pretend that I'm okay when I am not. It made me cheat on the exams. It made me regret many things in my life. Now my fear is attacking me again. I ran away because that's what fear made me do. I feared that I might be in love with you, Paris.

His brows furrowed. 'Then what? Why did you race like that?'

'Since it was the last day of tutorial, I told my parents that I'm going home early today.' I lied, but he looked convinced.

He sighed in relief. 'Okay.' He nodded. 'You should've told me earlier. I was worried that you were upset.'

I spread my hands, then shrugged. 'I'm sorry. I am not thinking straight. I'm running late on my curfew.'

'Oh, sorry. Did I delay you?' He asked, feeling sorry.

I shook my head. 'Not really. I still have a few more minutes.'

'Okay,' He nodded. 'Uhm. London, you're always welcome to visit the treehouse anytime.

I snorted. 'No, thanks. I wouldn't want to run into you while you are there with your future girlfriend. It would be awkward.'

He smirked, then shook his head. 'I had never brought girls to the treehouse, London. You are the first one. I have no plans of bringing another girl there. It was my private place. It's just- I have no choice but to bring you there, after that incident.'

'So it's your version of "bat cave" where you hide after being chased by girls. Am I right, Mr. Batman?' I crossed my arms.

'Practically, yes.' He grinned.

How I wish I could stare at his smile all day. But I have to go. Don't falter now, London.

'Okay. I'll come by if I have time. But that would be impossible so don't have high hopes.'

Though it was me who was having high hopes, because of his offer and what he said that no girl had entered the treehouse except me.

'London, there are things in life that we avoid. We may have different reasons behind why we want to escape those, but-,' he pushed his hands inside his pockets, '-the thing is there will be a time that you have to face it. And that "bat cave"-,' gesturing his head to the tree house's direction, '-is where I geared up before facing the villain.'

'Wow. So philosophical. Why don't you write a book? But it bothers me. What is your reason that you wanted me to come by? You said it was your property. Your personal space.'