Chapter Forty-Seven: Of Course I'm Jealous
"So like I want this guy, and my best friend wants him---and like I totallyyy see that he has the hots of me---"
I slightly nod, trying to keep my focus up but to be honest, I'd rather be stuck with Tom on an empty island than with people like this. I'm tempted to yawn but I held it in, placing a hand under my chin.
"----and like she's my best friend, but like I mean she's totally going to get heart broken when I say that's he totally not interested in her, like when he and me become a thing, you know?"
"I totally know that look when glances at me. He totalllyyyy wants me," she chuckled, flipping her hair.
I nod, my eyes starting to get droopy. Is English her first language? Because it sure doesn't seem like it. What's with 'totally' in almost every sentence she says? Is this a teenager's thing now? One thing for sure, is that I'm not getting paid enough for this.
"How about you ask the guy if he likes you?" I cut her off or else I'd probably be stuck with her for another hour.
"Ugh," she glanced at me like she's offended or like I chipped her new manicured nails. "---I don't need to ask! Like I know he wants me!"
"Sure, sure," I blew at my nails, then proceeded in a mumble barely audible. "---and I'm a witch."
"Ugh, you're so unhelpful," she rolled her eyes, flinging her well pampered hands. "---are you even listening to what I was saying?"
"Yea, I was listening," I forced up a smile, wanting to chuck this hat onto her face flat. "—the solution is right in front of your face. Just tell the guy that he's lucky to date you, okay?"
The girl smirked. "Now you get me. I know right? He's soo lucky to be dating someone like me. Well, thanks witch."
"I'm not a wi---"
The curtains closed and I sighed, slumping back on my seat with my back feeling like they aged 50 years by just a span of ten minutes.
Almost before I could close my eyes, the curtains draw open. It took me every courage not to muster a single scowl. Then my eyes finally adjusted from the light and saw it was just Emily.
"Hey Avery," Emily smiled but it wasn't reaching her lips. She immediately takes a seat in front of me without even asking for it.
Her golden silky hair was tied up in a loose ponytail and she wasn't wearing her maid outfit---which she gushed about. That meant she just ended shift.
"So, do you want an advice from a bum like me?" I mumbled, leaning forward.
"That's not why I'm here," she shook her head, then grabbed my hand and squeezes them. "---you're gonna be alright, right? Please say yes. I swear I don't know what to do if you're gonna cry."
"Cry?" I cocked a brow, confused by the blonde's words. "---why would I cry?"
She bit her lip, a bit too reluctant to tell me. Is it really that grave I'll burst to tears? Well, nothing makes me cry---except those onions. Every single damn time.
Anyway, I raised a brow, indicating her to say it. I swear I'm going to shake her vehemently when it's just about some small things and I know how Emily likes to make things dramatic.
"Tom is going to be auctioned!" she blurted out in a haste, eyes widened and the hold on my hand tightens.
"....yea? And so what?"
"Aren't you jealous?" she inspected me carefully, her crystal blue eyes staring against me. "---he's going to be with a girl. A girl I tell you! Who knows what will happen to them!"
"Chill," I eyed her weirdly, slipping my hands off hers. "---for the record, you sound as if we're not girls. And I think we both know Tom is not going to do something "funny" " I quote-on-quote.
"He's still a guy!" Emily widened her eyes, like I'm stupid or something she just said is revolutionary. Sure, he's a guy, but that's just about it. "---he has urges!"
I scrunched my nose. "Okay, stop. I'm very uncomfortable now. I get it. Okay, so what? He can do whatever he wants, okay?"
"But you love him, don't you?" she bent forward, slamming her hands on the table, causing it to jolt and made a loud thud before settling. "---what are you waiting for? Tell him you don't want him to be with some other girl!"
"I don't care," I scoffed, eyeing her in distaste.
"Avery!" she frantically cried. "----you can't just give up on him!"
"Who says I'm giving up----"
"You know what, let's go and bid for him," she muttered to herself, a passionate glint on her eyes.
Oh boy, this isn't good.
She then glanced back at me with a smirk that reached her lips. "That's right. How about we bid with all my savings to get you two together. That sounds nice, right?"
"Stop it, Emily," I grumbled, finally having enough of this shenanigan. I stood up from my seat and crossed my arms, eyeing her in scorn. "---leave me and Tom alone, okay? We're not dating and that's that."
"Bu----"
"I'm not talking to you if you do something," I stood my ground.
She stared at me, and then sighed, giving in with a pout on her face. She grumbled under her breath, flinging her hands to her sides. "Fine. But we're watching the auction!"
I opened my mouth to protest but she grabbed my hand before I could mutter a single word and whirled me out of the scorching hot booth.
I glanced up to see two people lining up, waiting outside and Emily barked. "The witch's booth is close for today!"
"Emily!"
"What?" she replied a bit too innocent for her own good.
I rolled my eyes. "Nothing. Just.. let's get this over."
She nodded and I roamed around the classroom to see it jam-packed. I could even see seniors standing around and the café was closed. Huh, today's auction is really the spotlight today.
Loud chattering could be heard from across the room. Girls from all sections and grades were wearing frilly, attractive clothes and were in their best form. I glanced at my shoes and remembered how sweat is trickling down my neck or how I look like literal grease of oil.
Emily looks a tad enthusiastic, eyes strained to the small stage with some disco lights and music blasting from the speaker. It's even hotter here.
I sighed, trying to put down my hat to try and make it onto a fan when a hand grabs me all of a sudden and I almost let out a shriek when I turn around to find Tom smiling apologetically.
I hissed, removing my hold from his. "What the heck dude? Not cool. Planning to give me a heart attack or something?"
"Sorry, but come here for a sec," he murmured, leading me back to my booth and I followed aimlessly, glancing one last time to those savages—girls, I mean.
"So?" I hovered a hand up, motioning it. "---what's the deal?"
He sheepishly handed me a tie and I raised a brow, taking it reluctantly from his palm. "You want me to tie this for you?"
"Yeah."
"Geez. You could've just told me instead of tugging my arm like you're trying to kidnap me," I fussed.
I took a step closer to him, tip toeing my feet and wrapped the tie around his neck before lifting his collar and adjusting the tie.
"You're going to uhm, watch?" he says anxiously, like I'm going to get angry or something.
I continue to fiddle with his tie, turning loops. "Yeah---well Emily forced it onto me."
"Okay."
"Yeah."
After almost a minute of silence, I tugged a bit onto his tie, adjusting it, before taking a step back and awkwardly glancing at him. "Okay. That's done. Uhm, good luck?"
"Thanks."
Then I stood there without saying another word. He takes a step forward without looking back and I sighed, finally bringing my hat down and slung it to my sides.
He seemed upset. Did I say something wrong? Was I supposed to be cheery? What did I even do wrong?
Bothering myself with questions that had no answers was pointless, so I finally took a step outside and on cue the program started.
"Avery, where were you?" Emily looked at me, finally noticing I was gone for about a minute.
"Freshening up?"
She nodded, then gazed up front. Four guys stood on the small stage, wearing the same outfit and some classmate of mine steps forward with a mic on their hand.
"You like what you see girls? Guys like these aren't free, you know? Want to get a boyfriend but don't have one? Well, you can have the chance to have a boyfriend for a day who you can take to try out the different booths!"
Then she starts introducing these guys and screams ringed my eyes while some were already full on savage mode with money in view. Geez, just buy something more valuable than this. This is so pathetic.
The guys stepped forward one by one, stating their name, hobbies, strengths, and the likes. The screams gradually grew louder, deafening my ears.
I breathed, standing there, feeling hotter and starting to feel sticky by the sweat accumulating on my body. Curse this.
"Let's start the bidding!"
"Anyone would like to start?"
"Five dollars!"
"Not bad for a start! Anyone willing to bid more than five dollars?"
"Ten!"
"Ooh!"
"Fifteen!"
"A fifteen! Anyone higher than that?"
"Twenty-five!"
"Twenty-five! Going once!"
"Going twice!"
"Sold! To the girl at the left with a bow tie!" she chimed, pointing her mallet to the girl sheepishly smiling. "—enjoy your day boyfriend!"
The guy, who I don't even know, heads down and then there were three left to go, which people most had their eyes on Tom like a predator ready to pounce on their prey.
I stood there, just weirded out and amazed by how people would spend their money on guys who won't even love them. Oops.
Then as time ticked by, it was finally down to one: Tom Beckett.
The screams have gotten twice as loud and I covered my ears to prevent it from bleeding. I swear I saw a banner somewhere with Tom's face imprinted on it.
"Last but not the least! The crowds' favourite! Tom Beckett!"
Tom took a step forward, nodding politely but there wasn't a smile etched on his lips. If anything, he looked disappointed or tired.
"Let's start the bi—"
"A hundred!"
Everyone paused, it's like the world came to a halt. Even the girl who was the MC was dumbfounded that it took a split second for her to find her own voice.
"A-a hundred! Anyone going higher?"
No one spoke. It's like their chaotic screams were kept to a mum. My eyes tried to roam around to where the voice came from but it ended in vain.
"G-going once!"
"Twice!"
"Anddd sold!---To Miss Hannah!"
Hannah? My eyes perk up to people taking a step back, making an entryway to the girl who was named Hannah.
The girl who I loathed and likewise, the feeling was mutual.
Of all the girls, why did it have to be her?
"I'm so happy right now!" she beamed and stood in front of Tom, who only smiled politely at her.
Then all of a sudden, she wrapped her arms around his neck and before any could anticipate it, she tiptoed and leaned in, pressing her lips on his in front of everyone.
Squeals erupted---which were more like screams of pain, devastation, and a bit of fangirling.
I looked away, and before I could understand what I was doing, my legs were doing the job for me, dashing outside and far from the suffocating air with all types of perfume blending, or the nauseating screams.
Why am I running? What am I running for? Even I couldn't understand myself. All I knew was that I wanted to be alone. Maybe I was lying. Maybe I knew all along.
It's better to lie, right? It's easier.
My breath was heavy and it didn't help that sweat was trickling down my forehead and making my unruly hair sweat damp. The rooftop is just close. It's just a few steps and I'd finally there.
After what seemed like forever, the rooftop was right in front of me. Just one twist of the door and I was finally away from everyone, from that scene, from everything else.
I heaved a deep breath, and twisted the door open, making me taken a back by the harsh batch of wind that came whirling in that instant.
With a grunt, I finally got the door behind me to close without creating a loud slam. The wind feels so cold and harsh, which was perfect right now.
I slowly walked up to the edge of the rooftop, my footsteps gradually got slower under I finally reached the railings and slumped on it, pulling my knees close to my chest and buried my face under it.
Ugh, I hate myself. What am I doing?
I closed my eyes, feeling the cold wind caress me like a soft lullaby. Truthfully, I was tired. Listening to people's troubles, having to keep up with that, it's all too much.
I just want a breather right now.
I heard the door slam and my ears perk up, but I don't look up and instead just kept on minding my business. Let's just pretend I'm sleeping.
Yeah that's right. I could fall asleep this instant.
Footsteps gradually grew louder, until I could hear it arrive right in front of me and with its presence hovered over me.
I hear a grunt, sensing them bending in front of me. "Hey Avery. You okay?"
"Gosh, that little bi---rat," she snarled, her fingers reaching over my hair and slowly combing them. "---I swear, the audacity!"
"Hey, you're awake, right?"
"Uh, yeah," I grumbled, my face still resting on my knees. "---but it's not about that uhm, what happened. I'm just tired.
"Avery, geez," she sighed, then I flinched when I feel her warm hands wrap around me. "---you gotta speak up if you want something, okay?"
"I won't judge you and I won't tell a soul," she assured, patting my back softly. "---Avery, it's suffocating if you always deny things okay? Sometimes, you must own up to what you feel. It's not a shameful."
"I know."
"Then, how are you really feeling? No lies, or I'll tickle you a hundred times," she taunted.
I flinched upon hearing that.
"Does it really matter?" I whined.
"Of course it does!" she shrieked.
My lips reluctantly part open with my heart raising so fast that I would probably hyperventilate. In a soft, inaudible whisper that the wind could only hear, I say. "I think I'm jealous?"
But then I cringed and know how off character I'm being right now. I shook my head, saying in a more loud and firm tone. "I'm tired."
And that was all it took for Emily to start tickling me to the point that stopping myself from peeing wouldn't probably be an option.
Spoilers: I didn't pee, you creep.