The ride

CHAPTER 6

VICTOR

Okay, I must admit, it is really cool messing with Cole's attitude. Actually, with everyone. They never expect anyone to say anything back and bang! There I am. Some people get pissed with me... Most of the time, really. Cole, on the contrary, I guess he was enjoying, by the looks on his face, after I crushed him, of course.

When we went our separate ways earlier I found a hockey store. Didn't know there was such a thing. There were a lot, and I mean, a lot of things with Cole's face. I bought some personalized stuff and decided to give it to him.

"A hat? Sunglasses? Why are you giving it to me?", he was giving me a confused laugh staring at the stuff I bought him. I smiled at him "I'm sorry I didn't find a fake mustache to complete the kit, but if I were you, I'd put those on right now before someone screams your name".

And just like realization hit him about the meaning of the gift, we heard some whispers from people recognizing and others crying out for 'Cole Whinny, the winner', their words, not mine. But i laughed at the thought 'Whinny the winner'. Cole was not aware, but while we talked, I had guided him to the nearest restroom, and I pushed him into it so he could get ready. We also changed our coats, so people wouldn't recognize him so fast.

"I saw him enter that store guys!", I heard a girl screaming to her friends. I find it funny how come one can say or do anything when they are desperate to meet someone and take a picture with them when the other doesn't even know them. I mean, I don't get why people are so desperate with famous people, like, they won't even talk to the guy, just take a picture and share it on the internet. Useless.

And then I heard Cole breaking my thought "You just saved my life", Cole said hiding against some plant, I looked at him. Seriously? We do not want to draw attention, so let's hide behind a plant that is in the middle of the shopping plaza... And I thought you were smart, Cole.

I dragged him to his car like he was a child. He wouldn't stop complaining that someone would see him, but when we entered his car he seemed relieved. "How did you know that there would be a bunch of people who would recognize me?", he asked surprised. He seems to be surprised by everything ever since I met him. Weird.

"Besides the fact that 'every self-respect Canadian knows you' and your face is pretty much everywhere I can look?", I say using his words against him while he just smiles, "I was in a hockey store and heard a group whispering that you were spotted in a particular store and they were gathering to find you and take pics and stuff, so I bought those things so you wouldn't be recognized that easy"

"And who told you I didn't want the attention?"

"I saw how you cover your face sometimes when you are around a lot of people", I said nonchalantly and again, he's surprised. What? I can't read people's faces nor express myself properly, but I'm sure as hell that I can see and understand some basic human actions such as trying to not be seen.

But now it was my time to be surprised, as I felt his lips connecting to mine so suddenly. He was kissing me inside his car. I was so shocked I couldn't move, but he continued kissing me. When he saw I wasn't kissing him back he stopped and retreated slowly.

"I'm sorry", he started apologizing. I just nodded, meaning it was all right. But it wasn't. I was confused, why did he kiss me? Why was he sorry? What just happened?

"Can we please pretend that never happened?", he wasn't even looking at me when I nodded again, "Please?", he continued.

I gently grabbed his head, waited for him to look at me, and after a few seconds "we cannot", I said rejecting his idea and stopped him when he was about to protest, "But that is all right, Cole. It is fine, okay?", I said carefully and slowly but seriously. I meant it. It doesn't matter now if I don't understand the situation, because it seems even he does not. But I'd like to talk about it whenever he feels ready, "We can talk about it whenever you feel like it. If you don't want to talk about it, so be it, but I'd like to. And I will not pretend that never happened. But it won't change the way I think about you, so don't worry". He just nodded.

After a few minutes I let go of him. He was quiet and I felt like a should be doing something to make him stop thinking about our previous moment

"Cole...", I called for him, breaking him from his thoughts. He looked at me.

"I feel like going to that party of your friend, how about you?", when he saw I was trying to change the subject he just gave me a smile.

"Hell yeah!", he finally said, getting all excited while I just laughed.