This Romantic Novel [√]

Chapter 22: You Still Love Me

I mentally sighed as I felt nervous about the tension that was going on between us. The movie was finished and we were now standing in front of the theatres, a few centimetres apart while our own eyes averted to the marble floors that took our interest besides the other - that was indeed attractive. However, even if I looked somewhere else, my mind can still think about what happened an hour ago; the sensation of his lips, the warmth of him, stood there as my heartbeat wouldn't slow down.

"So," Luke tried to break the tension.

However, the tension between us resurfaced as we both knew that we couldn't look at each other in the eyes anymore.

"I should probably go home now," I suggested, cutting off his pause.

Before I could start walking, I was abruptly stopped in my stance - feeling his hand entrapping my wrist to prevent me from moving. My heart started to speed more while I slowly turned to stare at him awkwardly - he gazed at me with the same glance.

"Why don't we walk somewhere else," He suggested.

"Umm, I don't think that's the best right now," I declined, releasing my wrist from his grasp before turning back to walk. Luke once again stopped my actions.

"Let's just forget that it happened and walk?" He persisted.

I gulped. Even though I wanted to say 'yes' and walk with him anywhere, I continued to tell myself that the kiss was a mistake (and that he has a girlfriend; Amanda) I had to do what I needed to do and decline his offer.

"Sorry Luke, I need to continue my romance novel," I excused with a smile that didn't go all the way to my eyes as I waited for him to say something.

"Well, you can start that later," He added a bit impatient as he clutches my wrist once again.

"What?" was all I managed to say as fear rose in my body, already thinking of impossible scenarios in my head.

Luke didn't say anything but started to drag me outside of the Manor Du Royale mall and towards a familiar route with the river and the concrete pathways with people from any age were sitting down or running around under the cool sun - covered by white clouds.

"Luke, I'm serious," I spoke seriously, "I really need to finish my story, I-" "Well I'm serious too," Luke cut me off - not even staring back at me as he continued to drag my figure.

"Look, we watched the movie together; now it's time for you to go to Amanda who's probably waiting for you at home," I excused myself.

"Well, then," He paused before turning to face me, "I guess she's got to learn to wait," He added, now spinning back.

~~~

A few minutes later, it seemed that we arrived at Luke's wanted destination - he lets go of my hand while I gaze at the location in front of me. There, we stood in front of an old theatre building with its skin peeling off (by the years) as its vibrant shade of red faded with dirt. No windows were left untouched by dust and cracks as even spiders that sought shelter nested their webs on the window sills.

"Luke, what are we doing here?" I question him, tired of playing his game.

"Just come inside," Luke insisted with a smile.

However, when he started walking I stood my ground, glaring at Luke until he noticed me standing put - and he did. Not hearing my footsteps following behind him, he pauses, y slowly turning to see me; letting his smile falter slowly once spotting my expression.

"Look, Luke?" I spoke, taking a deep breath before proceeding to say more things. "I went to the movies with you and now I need to go," I explained once more, waiting for a reaction or a word out from him.

"But, we properly didn't get to see the movie," Luke said in a coy manner, seeing a blush on his cheeks - knowing what he was talking about.

"And yet, I achieved your request" I added, "But now, I really need to go," I conveyed with the desperate tone fading into my voice.

Turning around, I was about to walk away when I felt his hand holding my wrist. "Luke, what the hell?!" I began to raise my voice, facing him. "Stop being so weird," I added.

However, he didn't say anything while I observed his face, staring to see that he held this unreadable expression that I couldn't break down. "Hurry up and say something" I tried provoking him to speak, feeling a bit scared about what Luke was going through.

But once again, he responded with silence; having no intention of letting her go.

"Please, say something... I might be able to help-" " You can't help me" Luke cut me off.

"What do you mean?" I questioned him.

He hesitates before opening his mouth. "I can't stop thinking about you"

BA-DUMP

"I may be with Amanda, but the connection seems odd; there's no spark between us anymore"

BA-DUMP

"But when I'm with you - when that kiss happened in the movies," He paused, "I felt sparks"

"Wait, wait wait wait," I immediately cut him off, already feeling my cheeks radiating heat. "What are you implying?".

There was silence between us. And I waited for him to respond to my answer, while my heart raced like in the movies; hoping that he was going to say something that I wanted to hear ever since I first met him.

"I...I'm still in love with you"