BECAUSE IT WAS YOU

Chapter 9

Emmanuel and I walk out of class together, when we run into Jayden.
Again!
Walking past him would've been a better option. If only it were an option.

"Jayden! Long time no see!" Emmanuel speaks to Jayden.

"Likewise." he tilts his head.

Gosh!

"You guys know each other?" I look from Emmanuel to Jayden. And back again at Emmanuel.

"Well..." Emmanuel starts. Only to be interrupted by Jayden.

"None of your business." Jayden looks at me. And he leaves.

"Oh!" Emmanuel looks shocked.

"Yea he's always like that with me." I shake my head.

"You must be special." he says.

"What?" It's my turn to be shocked.

"I'm not sure yet." he smirks. "Will let you know once I am!"

"Alright then." I respond.

"Em!" Chris yells my name, as we get out of the class.

"Chris!" I wave at her.

"Your friend?" Emmanuel smiles.

"Best friend." I smile back.

Chris stands next to me. "Heyo!!!" she exclaims. "Sorry I didn't know you had company." she grimaces, noticing the presence of Emmanuel.

"Emmanuel, this is Chris. Chris, Emmanuel." I introduce them to each other.

"Call me Manny." Emmanuel looks at me.

"Manny it is!" I grin.

"Good to see you Chris!" Manny shakes hands with Chris.

"Good to see you too!" she grins.

And we just stand there for a while.
Awkward!

"Alright! We gotta go!" I finally say, turning Chris around and pushing her slowly by the shoulders.

"See you guys later!!!" Manny laughs.

"You too!!!" I scream back.

While Chris being Chris, tries to turn back and wave at him.

"Who was that?!" Chris asks me as we head to the cafeteria.

"A guy."

We spot Ashley lifting on her toes and waving at us among the crowd.

We walk to the table she's at. Apart from Ash and Jayden, no-one else has arrived yet.

"What up girliessss?!" Ash grins.

"Hey Ash!!!" exclaims Chris. "Guess what?!"

On a completely different note, I must say...
It's quite amazing how cool Ashley is.
It hasn't been long at all since we got to know each other.
Although, it doesn't actually feel that way.
She bonds on a whole other level.

"What???" Ash is all ears.

"I met this guy. Well actually, he was with her." she points at me.
A dreamy look on her face.

"WHATTT???" Ash is probably on the verge of fainting if she doesn't get an answer instantly. "Who is he? Does he look good? Where is he now? Ohhh I wanna see him!"

"Chill both of you!" I put my hand on my head. "And Ash, he's my classmate. I met him today, when he asked to take the seat next to mine. His name is Emmanuel? Yea. That's it!"

"Emmanuel?" she narrows her glance. "Has he got green eyes and a deep voice?" she asks.

"From what I noticed, yes, he does. Do you know him?" I ask her.
Later it hits me, she probably does know him. Jayden knew him after all!

"Could it be Manny?-" she looks over at Jayden who cuts her off.

Jayden doesn't look at her, or any of us.
But his face says it all. The look he gave, would suffice.
Probably, Ash gets it all by now. His expressions, one word answers, and annoying silence.
She's so used to it, she doesn't mind at all.

"You do know him!" Chris puts her hand on Ash's shoulder.

"Of course I do! We grew up together, till he left the country. That was about six years ago?! He said he had a surprise for me, didn't realise it would be this." Ash explains. A smile of excitement on her face.

"That's so cool!" I reply.

"Do tell me all about him! Could you?" she begs me.

"Of course she could." Jayden speaks. Still facing neither of us.

"What do you mean?" I ask him.

"You seemed to be getting along quite well." he looks at me.

"And is that a problem?" I'm totatlly confused.

"Not for me. No!" he laughs. "Although you guys are quite compatible. He believes in love, just like you do."

"Thank you!" I smile, annoyed. "I'll mind my business, you don't have to be bothered with mine." I say.

He opens his mouth to respond.
Since the rest of the guys show up right that second, he doesn't.

And it's for the best.
I would hate for a single second to be wasted on a silly argument with him.

It was becoming the usual lately.
Ugh!