Chapter Forty: Your Smile
"Tom."
He looks the other way, a frown pursed on his lips. I sighed, bringing up my paintbrush and swung it straight across his head.
It caused a slight thud and he winched, forcing to look at me with eyes narrowed. "What was that Avery?"
"Much better," I flashed him a sick smile, then shoved the construction paper on his chest. He flinched but took it off my hands and placed it on his desk.
"Acting jealous won't change things, idiot," I murmured.
His cheeks turned flushed red, as if it wasn't obvious from the fact that he's ignoring me, and that it happened after Oskar came in.
I swear, I get that he likes me but it doesn't mean I can't talk to guys.
I am after all, a girl who's too boyish for someone.
He rubbed the nape of his neck, eyes fidgeting and looking back and forth between the cold tiles and my slightly dirtied shoes from the puddle. "I'm not."
"You are," I bluntly stated.
"Am not."
"And you tell me Santa is real?" I snorted, crossing my arms in a gruff. "---oh please, stop denying it."
He sighed, shoulders all crunched down while his mob of hair swayed and covered half of his eyes. "It's just who I am, okay? Are you going to laugh at me?"
Laugh? What's there to laugh about. I swung my feet, kicking the legs of his chair, causing a slight jolt which made him flinch. "I'm not that shallow. So, just suck it up because we only have a few days left before the festival."
I seriously don't get it. Why do people get jealous? Is there something I don't know? I've never liked anyone so I can't really say anything, but still it's a surprise this guy likes me.
I'm keeping my guard up just in case. You never know when he's going to fool me and in the end, I'd be the fool who bit the bait.
He doesn't say anything, and I don't mind. I pulled my chair and took a seat, ushering closer to Tom's desk, since well—he has the art paper. He won't finish it by just himself---especially when he's acting like a childish brat.
"You better start working," I muttered, leaning forward and grabbed a handful of sheets, placing them flat on my table. "---or you'll be finished late."
Now, it says that we're going to do some flowers as design. I may not be a crafty person, but I do know a thing or two about cutting and folding a simple flower. And no, not that well detailed, but just a simple four petaled one.
With Tom still sulking, I began with my own task, grabbing the half empty glue and started doing wonders, snipping, snapping and whatsoever.
"Avery."
"Yeah?" I absent-mindedly murmured under my breath, folding the triangle twice and snipping its sides.
"You're okay with this?"
"With what?"
"With me liking you, and...something like that," his voice faltered on the last words.
I stopped on cutting the paper, then turned around to glance at him, somehow managing to finish a petal, and was currently fiddling with the pink art paper. His eyes look somehow...sad.
"I'm troubling you, right?" he lets out a faint smile. "---having to pretend that everything is fine. That as if nothing has happened."
"Let's not talk about this here," I cut him off, gripping on the handle of the scissors. "---somewhere private would be much appropriate."
He smiled, even though it wasn't reaching his lips. He closed his eyes, as if trying to let loose of those emotions and then flickered them open, then finally glanced at me. "Okay."
"Now, let's do this," I ordered and he nodded, turning to the stack of papers in front of him and started folding them in squares.
I turned back to my seat and stared at the flower on my other palm. Could I have said something better? If was just as pretty, and as feminine as this flower, could I have at least somewhat.....
. . .
"Can't believe it's October," Tom said in the midst of silence, staring at the dim clouds with a vast look on his face.
"Yeah," I replied, following his gaze.
The clouds were like a mixture of orange, pink and purple. Not gonna lie, it looks pretty. Me and Tom kept walking along the bustling streets, people in suits passing by us, cars screeching to a halt and establishments turning on their lights.
If somehow things were different, I wouldn't have bothered to stare up the stars. To me before, they were nothing but dull, but it's different now.
"Avery," I felt a tug on my uniform.
I turned around to find Tom holding the hem of my shirt, with his other free hand pointing somewhere. I followed his trail and somehow there was a playground not far from us.
I immediately knew what he was about to say and I pursed my lips. "No. We're grown-ups now, Tom."
He smiled at me, further ignoring my displeasure. "It's not bad to be a child once a while."
"If you want, then go," I huffed, removing his hand from my shirt. "—but I'm not going."
"You're going with me, whether you like it or not," he flashed me a challenging glint on those charming olive eyes.
I scoffed, crossing my arms. "And who are you to order me around?"
"No one."
"Exactly," I grumbled.
"---but I'm still taking you with me."
"What do you me-----Tom!"
He grabbed my hand, clutching it tight as he starts dashing towards the playground and I flinched, trying to squirm off his hold but I'd tumble if I let go while going too fast.
"Stop this! You're going to make us look weird!" I hollered, feeling the cold sweat damp my skin.
He doesn't say anything and moves onward, feet walking in a fast pace with my hand on his tightly. I fumbled, getting carried because of him and with the amount of people glancing at our direction.
I couldn't help but notice how the sunset glistened on his hair with his stray locks of hair swerving with the wind or how tightly he's holding my hand, like I'd disappear if he'd let go.
Geez. I swear, is he a girl? He acts like has mood swings. Sullen one second, and now excited like a stupid brat.
We finally arrived in front of the playground and I took the chance to yank my hand off his.
He faces me with a smile, mouth slightly parted open from running. "This is going to be fun."
I hissed. "Fun? I swear it's like I'm watching over a kid!"
He chuckled, then takes a step forward. I stood still in where I was, staring at the playground in front of me.
It mostly reminded me of bad memories.
I didn't really have a fun childhood. Being mocked for looking like a guy, for being bland, for always being the 'it' just because I looked weird than the rest of them. No one played with me because they truly wanted to, but because of my complex.
I sighed, shoving my clammy hands underneath the pocket of my skirt. I stared at Tom looking like a kid who got his favorite present on Christmas.
Turns out, nothing really has changed in this playground. It was the same, that cursed metal slide that would burn your ass, monkey bars that used to look like a tower with its height, sandbox, seesaw, and such. The only thing that changed was that time had passed, and its starting to age.
"Avery!"
I blinked, to find Tom waving his hands at me with a bright grin on his face. "What are you doing standing there? Come here!"
I snorted. Since when did he get so bossy? Leaving me no choice, I made my way close to where he stood, the monkey bars that looked so small beside him.
"Remember what we talked before?" he mused, leaning his frame on the monkey bars, eyes staring into me. "---that I could push you on the swing?"
"Yeah?" I raised a brow.
"Well now's the time," and with that he heads straight for the swing which aged by time. Scribbles were prominent on the poles but it wasn't bad.
"I'm not that doing it," I rolled my eyes at him by his childish tendencies.
"Then I go first!" he exclaimed, and with that he dashed over the swing like he's on a competition and sits on the swing, causing a loud creak.
I stifled a snort. "Tom, that's gonna break."
He winked, flashing a boyish smile. "Well, no one's going to know. Now push me!"
"So bossy."
I tried to muster a frown, but I just couldn't. He really looks stupid it's amusing. I smirked, heading from behind him and with all my force, pushed the swing, causing it to fly off and with him cheering as he held tightly on the handle.
"Again!"
"You asked for it."
I lifted my sleeves and took a step back. Tom places his foot on the ground, preparing to add momentum when I push. With one last step, I lunged and pushed the swing.
"This is so fun!"
"Another one, Avery!"
"Sheesh! You're heavy, you know?"
And the more I pushed him like an idiotic child, I couldn't help but smile.
. . .
For some reasons, we ended up sitting on top of the monkey bars with the moon glistening in front of us.
I paddled my feet back and forth with my palms planted on the bars. Tom chuckled, then lied down on top of the bars with eyes casted on the skies.
"It's night now, idiot," I murmured, somewhat drawn in to the moon.
"I know," he breathed.
My eyes averted to the gap between the floor and me. As a child, the monkey bars felt so high and now, well, it isn't much. Just climb four steps and now you're on top.
"Avery."
I blinked, somehow preparing myself for no reason
"Can I ask you this question?"
"You're asking, aren't you?" I replied under my breath.
"Right."
"If things...were different," he trailed off. "—would you...have felt the same way?"
I paused. Then turned around and immediately regretted it for my stomach starts to flutter. "What do you mean?"
"I mean it, just so you know," he responded before groaning and sitting right up from his half-laid position. It made me forget for a split second how close we are, and how I could feel his warmth emit to me. "---that I like you."
For some reason, my heart starts to raise ever so fast, and it's so unbearable I clutch a hand on my chest. My body feels weird. Why? Why is saying that word makes me turn like this?
"I don't know," I whispered.
"I see."
"How about you?" I murmured, staring at my shoes even though my heart was deafening me. "---why'd you like someone like me? If I met myself, I wouldn't like her—even love her."
"I just do," I could just about feel that sincerity behind those words. And it scares me.
That I'd hurt him. That being with me would just be a burden.
"No one has liked me before."
"I know."
"I never reply to your greetings and hiss at you."
"Yeah."
"I hit you when you act stupid."
"Thanks."
"You're annoying, you know?" I bit my lip, resisting the urge to screech at him. "---I'm trying to show you how horrible I am and you're ruining that."
"Well, because..". he trailed off. "---I love that too. You're not Avery without that."
My cheeks flushed red, and as corny and cheesy as it sounded, somewhat it made me flustered.
"See? You're blushing."
"I'm not!" I looked at him with a wry and he chuckled, pointing at my cheeks.
"But seriously, I do," he warmly smiled at me.
Damn this cheeky guy. He's making me feel so many things right now and it's...unusually nice.
"Wanna play rock, paper scissors?" he blurted out in the middle of nowhere.
I blinked, then raised a brow. "What's with that? So random."
He chuckled. "If I win, you have to trust me."
"What's with that?" I snorted. "---and what if I win?"
"I can grant you a wish."
"Any wish?" I asked.
"Any wish," he repeated, eyeing me intently.
"Alright. It's about time we settled this," I smirked teasingly. "---if I win, you stay away from me."
He doesn't remark anything and clenched his hands into a fist. I followed, and then we started the gamble.
"Rock, paper..."
Adrenaline was coursing through my veins. The suspense, the outcome, the thrill. And what felt like eternity stopped.
Our hands eventually stopped and it revealed.....
"No!"
I...lost. He had rock and I had scissors. Damn it! Is it just me or did this guy thought of this outcome right from the start? Or was he just this undeniably lucky?
He smiled at me, bathing in his glory like he's showing it off to me.
"I win."
"You cheated!" I lied through my teeth. I didn't want to admit defeat, especially in the game of rock, papers, and scissors. I know, I'm that petty and a loser-faced.
He chuckled. "I didn't."
"Fine," I grumbled. "---what do you want?"
Without saying anything, he hopped off the monkey bars with a thud and followed by an audible grunt. He winched while looking up. "That didn't end well. It was cooler in the movies."
"Serves you right."
He smiled, then spreading his arms wide. "Jump, Avery."
I widened my eyes at him. "What?! I'm not jumping!"
Is he crazy? Does he really think I'll jump and let my face thud on the ground? He sees my conflicted look and shakes his head.
"I'll catch you."
"No way!" I screeched.
"Just trust me!" he hollered, sounding more desperate as he leaned forward with arms still spread wide.
"You're crazy!"
"I know!" his smile didn't falter, motioning me to jump.
"I'd punch you to death if you don't catch me!" I threatened. "—I'll break all of your bones!"
"I promise!" he lifted his hands up, that cheeky grin still on his lips.
I sighed. Well, I lost. And I'll really punch him if I get scratched. I stared at the ground that separated us and then to him who's ready to catch me.
He's so spontaneous. And weird.
Shaking off any thoughts, I hollered. "I'll jump now!"
"You only live once," they say. Oh, what the hell. It's not bad to take a risk sometimes, even when it causes my bones to be fractured.
I've been playing safe all this time, so it won't be bad to gamble, right?
He nodded, and then I took a deep breath, my heart racing as I braced myself and with one swift motion, I lunged towards the ground, my hair swerving in all directions as he gets closer and closer and I close my eyes preparing for the worst.
This is the most stupid idea I've ever heard of. Why did I even agree to it?
And before I knew it, two strong arms grabbed me but not before letting out a grunt and I was overwhelmed with its warmth. I swear my muscles were tensed all this time, which made my legs feel jelly.
But when I opened my eyes, I landed without a scratch and with a smiling idiot holding me tight. "See? I'd never let you fall all by yourself."