52: Friendship or Something More?

*I walked out of the building because I thought it would be better if I thanked him personally. I hadn't even made it out of the building when someone pulled my arm and forced me into the boys' restroom.*

*Sh*t!*

**Chapter 52**

"Are you AVOIDING me?" asked the person who pulled me after closing the door of the comfort room.

"Sh-Shan?" I exclaimed when I saw the man in front of me. Then, I backed up until I was leaning against the door.

"Solene, are you avoiding me?" His gaze was cold and his voice was full. "Solene, answer me. Are you avoiding me? Did I do something wrong?"

I felt my chest tighten because of his struggling voice. I don't understand why he is like this now. Very different from the Shan I knew. It was like someone else was in front of me and it wasn't Shan.

"I-I'm not avoiding you."

"But that's how I see it. "Don't avoid me, Solene."

"S-Shan... I'm sorry," was all I could say. It's like my mind doesn't want to function and I don't know what I should say to him.

"So this is about Callante?" He pronounced Fire’s surname hard that his jaw tightened. "Why is it always about him? F*ck that asshole! He loves to steal everything!"

And even though I was stuck to the door, I still tried to squeeze myself in. Daring to get away from Shan and his blazing eyes.

"I'm sorry, Shan. I'm sorry...." I said and my eyes focused on the floor. "I considered you a friend but Fire is more important." I bowed down. I don't want to see his reaction, just in case. I feel like I can take Fire's angry eyes more than Shan’s burning stares at me.

He's acting weird. He's not playful right now. He is afraid to get angry. And I also don't understand why he is so angry. Is it because I'm avoiding him or is there something else?

"Forget about what I said, Shan," I said. And I was about to leave the restroom but before I could he pulled me back.

"Then you left me with no choice, Solene." The frustrations on his face faded as his lips curved into a smirked.

He left me shocked where I was. I've never seen it coming especially from Shan.

Who are really are you, Shan Martinez?

I finished my work at the bakeshop early because Miss Taylor also had a walk. That's why I thought of going to the East Side.

I was just at the entrance when Ate Kate saw me. She waved at me so I walked towards her.

"Solene, I missed you!" She hugged me and I responded. Then, she led me inside.

Today is Saturday and there are a lot of people inside. It's all women in the club’s audience seat when I went in.

I can see that the reason they here is definitely because of Fire. That idea was annoying!

"Come on, we're out front."

We went to the usual spot and when I looked at the stage, there was no Fire fixing the setup.

Is he still backstage?

"Fire, where is he?" I couldn't help but ask. I want to surprise him by suddenly coming here.

"H-Huh? Maybe what..."

I frowned when I saw the doubt on Ate Kate's face. I just apologized to her because I really wanted to see Fire. I already miss him because the last time we met was when I thanked him for what he did and that was on Tuesday. I don't know where he is, but what he told me is important

That same day was my last encounter with Shan. We see each other on campus but I'm just like the air he walks through. Sometimes I feel sad, but I can't blame him because I was the first to push him away.

I went backstage and Fire just entered from outside. Surprise registered on his face when he saw me, but later he also smiled. I heard the sound of a car outside so I glanced out the window. Besides the front entrance, there is also a backstage door that connects to the outside.

"Who is that?" I asked him.

He frowned and looked restless. He forced a smile and held my hand.

"Nothing. Let's go outside."

I didn't fight back and just followed him outside. But before that I looked at the small window again. I know and am sure whose car I saw. I've ridden there twice so I know it's Shan’s.

What is Sha doing here? Is he the one that Fire went to outside?

I returned to Ate Kate's side with a confused mind. Fire started setting up on stage.

And everything that was bothering my mind seemed to disappear when his arm moved because I could clearly see how hard his biceps were. It's curvaceous, especially since he's only wearing a white V-neck shirt.

I also looked at his chest. He has this bulky chest that literally makes you drool when he undresses.

I laughed when I remembered the picture he posted on Instagram last week. He is half-naked there, which is why you will be really satisfied with his eight-packed abs that are curved and still glistening with sweat with the caption, Jogging done, was his caption. Well, Fire and his words. But the worst part is, there was a user who commented, I'm willing to strip my clothes just to see you naked.

Instead of being annoyed, I laughed.

I went back to looking all over his body until it landed on the big lump in the middle of his thigh, sighting his oh-so-never mind.

Why is he wearing fitted pants? My God! I keep getting hot - it's hot.

"You're going to melt it if you stare intently like that.”

I only stopped thinking about obscenity when I heard Ate Kate speak next to me. I turned my gaze to him who now had a playful smile on his lips.

"What is that, sister?"

"Never mind!"

Just a few minutes later, Fire started playing. He sang Radioactive by Imagine Dragons and Come Home by One Republic.

I couldn't say anything except that his voice is really something. I have heard him sing multiple times, but it always feels like it's first time hearing his ravishing voice. It's always full of emotions and burning passion.

It can also be seen in his eyes because while he plays, his gray eyes are glowing with love.

After he sang, we said goodbye to Ate Kate. He also finished early today because it's only around nine in the evening.

We went to Manila Bay and there were only a few people here. We sat near the sea listening to every wave crashing on the beach.

I hugged myself because I could feel the cold air caressing my whole body. I'm still in uniform that's why I really feel the cold.

For a few moments I couldn't feel the cold anymore. There was a jacket that rested on both of my shoulders. I even got to smell it usual, the fragrance is the same as the owner. Nuyin and as

"Thank you," I said to Fire.

"My pleasure," he replied.

He stood up making me frown which I also quickly took back when he sat behind me. He's now hugging me from behind and the coldness I felt earlier has been replaced by warmth. I don't know if I'm just getting hot because of his breath on my neck or because of our position. It's very intimate and sweet. And I like it. No, I love it. love how his warm hands envelope my waist. I love how he puts his chin on my shoulder. And I love how his breath tickles my sensitive neck.

"I missed you." His husky voice sent chills to my spine.

I couldn't answer especially when I felt his lips touch my neck. It was like I was electrocuted by some voltagebecause of what he did.

His hand slid down my waist and as he did so I gasped. His arm tightened around my stomach so I became even more silent.

I wanted to seize the moment. Just me and him under the smiling moon and starry night. No problems and no worries. We're just sitting in the seashore doing absolutely nothing, but for me, this nothing means absolutely everything especially if it's with him.

"I badly want you ." He paused. "to be mine tonight and forever." He blew kisses at the back of my neck. "But I'm willing to wait for that YES." He cupped my cheeks and made me face him. He kissed my forehead, down to my nose, and lastly to my heated cheeks.

It's hot, not because of the jacket I'm wearing but because of Fire. Every time he speaks, my heart melts. Every time he caresses my skin, I could feel my flesh burning in passion. And every time he speaks my name, my ins
ides are burning with excitement.

Well, his name says it all. It could melt anything, make you crazy, and leave you breathless.