Chapter 8.1: Date

It's already past ten o’clock and Fire is still not here ro pick me up. I’m already growing bored waiting for him. Remembering that I have a class at one o’clock didn't help me ease my mind.

A ringing from my phone broke the silence that's been enveloping me. I grabbed my phone and Fire’s name was on my screen. I contemplated answering his call when I heard a familiar voice from my behind.

“Aren't you even going to answer my call?”

I almost jumped from fright as he suddenly appeared in front of me that I lost my footing.

Gladly, Fire was able to catch me by my hips. “Why are you scaring people?” I grumbled while still being held by him. We haven't recovered from that awkward position we made when he caught me earlier.

“Look at you . . . you're so clumsy, you almost fell.” Our faces were inches from each other as our eyes met.

I don't know if it was anger or annoyance that I heard from his voice. I tried reading his expression but his face didn't show anything useful as it remained stoic.

Fire helped me up, and I patted and fixed my worn clothes. His right arm is still around my waist making our bodies still brush each other.

My lips parted. “I— I'm sorry . . . it's your fault though,” I pouted and whispered, “sneaking behind people’s back.”

I want to scold myself for feeling so conscious around him. Our very little distance from each other only makes my uneasiness worse.

I could smell a mixture of chocolate and mint as his warm breath covered my face.

He stood straight and I breathed a sigh of relief as our space from each other increased. “You shouldn't fall . . . unless I’m there to catch you.” He said unwaveringly.

I swallowed hard and felt my heart beating wildly inside my chest. As if it wants to be free from my ribcage.

*Is it just me or why does his words hit differently? Like they meant something else? Why does it seem like he's warning me not to fall for him? What could I do now that I already did? Why do I feel a pinch in my heart?

“Solene, are you listening to me?”

“W—what?”

“I see, you're not really listening.” He sighed and grabbed my hand. “I said, let's go.”

He gently pulled me to his parked Mercedes-Benz and opened its door for me.

“Hop in.” He said and jerked his chin inside his car.

I can feel his gaze on me as I followed his command and carefully sat inside.

I felt my cheeks flush by his little gentleman gesture. I didn't notice that I was already smiling until I saw my own reflection at the rearview mirror which I instantly erased from my face before Fire would notice it and tease me even more.

“You should wear your smile more.” Fire buckled his seatbelt. “It looks good on you.” He said as he revived the car's engine.

I was silent during the ride, not until I started protesting when he suddenly patted my head.

“Do you know how long it took me to do my hair?” I scowled at him.

*I’m not mad. I actually love him doing that to me. Patting my head became his hobby everytime we met. I act to be annoyed but deep inside, I unconsciously became accustomed to it — to the point that I am already looking forward to it.

“So you're telling me that you're making yourself pretty for me?” He arched his brow and grinned like an idiot.

“No, I’m not!” I glared at him. “Don't be so assuming!” I rolled my eyes at him but felt the sweating of my hands placed above my thighs.

I was so immersed in bantering with him that I didn't notice that we were still not yet leaving even though the car's engine was already alive.

“Why are you leaning close to me?” I gasped as I turned to Fire whose face is only inches from touching mine.

“You forgot your seatbelt, silly.” He said as he fastened my own seatbelt.

I quickly averted my gaze and turned my blushing cheeks away from him. From my back, I could hear him chuckle as I felt the car move.

*I want to give myself a face slap at this moment.

I pinned my gaze outside the car’s window during the entire ride. I don't want to look at him or at his direction. I want to save myself from any more embarrassment today.

“Damn, heavy traffic.” Fire sighed.

“Oh no! I have a class this afternoon.” I groaned as I looked in front of the road where cars are in a straight line due to heavy traffic.

Fire looked at me and cocked his head. My brows furrowed at his reaction. He then smiled playfully, “Don't worry about your class, I already told the professor to excuse you for today before picking you up earlier.”

“What!? Why would you do that!?” I exclaimed. I accidentally raised my voice at him that made him frown at me. He didn't answer me so I just stayed silent and pouted.

“I am attending a party tonight . . .” He said, breaking my silence.

“And what does that party have to do with me?” I mumbled and sulked like a child.

“Goodness, Solene! You're my date for that party so act normal.”

“Are telling me that I’m not normal?” I blurted?

He looked seriously at me for a while and said, “A little bit . . .”

“You're shameless.” I pouted.

“I heard that.”

“Shame on you!” I repeated and stuck my tongue out at him. He winced at what I did and even I wanted to hit myself after realizing how childish I acted in front of him.

We fell silent not until I talked to him.

“Am I really your date tonight? Are you not joking?” I asked Fire just to be sure I’m not hearing things earlier.

“Why would I joke about it?” He shrugged.

“But why me? There are many other girls there than me?” Those words just went out of my mouth before I could even properly think of them. I closed my lips into a thin line as I bit my tongue. I’m afraid of what Fire’s reaction might be.

“Why not you?” He’s answering me with questions.

“Why not Lorraine?” *Shit! Why did I even ask that? I’m making myself more obvious!

“Because I want you, Solene.” He said with full conviction. “And why is Lorraine included here?” He asked with a frown.

I pouted. “I thought there was something going on with you too. Didn't you leave last day because she called and you went to her.”

He fell silent before bursting into a hearty laugh. I looked at him dumbfounded by his reaction to what I just said.

“You're jealous,” He said in between his laughs.

“No, I’m not!”

“Yes, you are.” He looked at me with a face that's already red because of laughing.

“I’m really not!” I insisted but I think it didn't work.

Hours later, we stopped by a restaurant to grab a bite. After that he drove the car into some place I don't know.