Chapter Forty-Nine- I Love You
"Finally, you're back Avery!" Rhea, Leila and May approached me once I opened the door to the classroom.
My eyes trailed off to their hands and saw them holding pouches, more like make-up bags. I took a step back, but before I could, Leila and May grabbed ahold of my shoulders, securing me captive.
"Let's make you pretty, Avery," Rhea smiled and I knew I wasn't going anywhere.
. . .
Ten minutes later, we're in the isolated girl's bathroom with Leila brushing and braiding my hair. I wasn't also allowed to face the mirror because it was a "surprise."
May just stood there and kept murmuring things about what to do when practically, they don't need it.
Rhea was the one putting make-up on me and her way of applying make-up was gentle and pleasant in contrast to my mother aggressively nudging me with the brush.
"Slightly pucker your lips, Avery," Rhea smiled at me, a lip tint in her hand. I followed her, then awkwardly puck my lips as she nods, and untwists the cap off the lip tint.
She leaned forward. "Slightly open your mouth, Avery."
"Like this?"
"Perfect."
They she smeared the lip tint on my lips, eyes heavily focused as she bit her lip and put it back and forth. She takes a step back. "Puck it again."
Meanwhile, May went off outside as she said she'd get something and Leila was still busy touching my hair, putting it in loops and tied some ornaments onto it.
Then after what seemed like forever, Leila lets go of my hair, takes a step back and gawks at me like I was some masterpiece. "You look so pretty, Avery."
"She's a hidden gem alright," Rhea smiled, satisfied as she put a hand under her hip, proud of her creation—which was I, the canvas.
On cue, May arrived with a paper bag in tow. Leila took it off her hands and then reached it forward to me. "Wear this."
I stared at the paper bag, then to the three of them waiting for me to take it. I sighed, eyeing them intently. "Why ...are you being so kind to me? You don't know me, and yet..."
What would they gain from this? Why are they doing this much to me? When we're mere strangers. When I was all alone, when I rumored to be a witch.
When I didn't do anything worthy of praise?
"Because we like you," Rhea replied, smiling widely as she motioned me to take the paper bag. "---and because we're just shippers."
"What?"
Leila coughed, as if reprimanding Rhea for slipping something casually. Rhea cheekily grinned. "Oh don't worry. It's nothing."
"Are you sure it's okay for me to take this or what you did for me without payment?" I eyed them wearily.
"Sure," they chimed in chorus.
I leaned forward, taking the paper bag off Leila's hold, then placed it close to my chest. I couldn't help but smile. "Thank you."
I didn't know I'd meet people like them. It's kind of...wholesome. I don't even deserve this type of treatment and yet they're doing this because they like me.
"Avery, don't smile that warmly," May covered her face with her forearm. "---you're gonna make me gay."
We stared at May and then laughed.
. . .
"Everyone is staring at me," I say in a low mumble, walking alongside the three as we passed through the halls and the different stalls from each section.
As I kept on walking, I felt everyone's eyes on me and I'm not sure if they're laughing inside or out of weirdness. Do I look weird? I started to feel conscious, slouching in my stance as I pull the dress they gave to me a bit lower.
"Avery, don't slouch," Leila commented, seeing me looking so awkward that I wanted to hide and wear a hoodie. "---flaunt your beauty."
"Are you sure they're not laughing at me?" I grumbled, straining my eyes to the marbled floor. Leila placed a hand on my shoulder reassuringly. "I think they're just in awe. I mean you look pretty right now, Avery. I'm sure everyone wants to dance with you tonight."
I cackled. "Yea...no."
"Trust me," she firmly stated, then we finally arrived in front of our classroom.
"You alright, Avery?" Rhea peered over her shoulder, whilst holding the knob of the door.
"Certainly not," I replied, hugging my bare shoulders for comfort.
I never wore dresses---more like I didn't want to. Wearing one makes me feel conscious. Everyone can see the blade of my shoulder or my bare skin, which I usually hide with t-shirts or hoodies. My legs which are covered up with jeans are now shown.
I feel so uncomfortable. I feel like a person in another one's body. I don't suit this. Why did I even agree to this?
Is it because...I actually wanted to look good at least once in my life? Maybe that was the reason. Maybe it isn't.
But I'm here now, and I've got no options but to go onwards.
Rhea opened the door and the chatty room immediately quiet down when we stood in front of the door. I warily looked around and found everyone staring at as me.
I knew it. I looked weird.
Rhea took the first step and May and Leila were beside me, somehow trying to make me feel less anxious. I could feel their eyes burn against me.
I already imagine them pointing out my flaws, making fun of me inside their mind. That's what they're good at anyway.
I wanted to hide in a corner when suddenly a person steps in. "Avery ...right?"
Then like a ripple, people crowded us, making me feel anxious and suffocated. I wanted to hurl by the attention I was getting right now.
"I didn't know you were this pretty Avery," a random girl complimented me.
I blinked, dumb founded. "What?"
I could hear everyone's chatter and they weren't insults at all. I glanced over to see the three smiling at me with May raising a thumbs up.
"Uhm, you want to dance with me at the campfire?" a guy, who I don't even know, asked as he sheepishly looked at me.
"Me too!"
"Can I dance with you too?"
"Uh----"
What the hell is happening? Just because these three did something to me, everyone wants to crowd themselves in me? Where we they when I was all alone? Just because I look slightly different, people somehow want to be with me.
Just because I looked pretty at the moment? Because I'm not in my usual get-up? And when I return back to who I really am, they'll just forget I ever existed again.
Just like usual.
"I---"
A loud thud of the door caused us all of us to turn heads, then my eyes met his. I looked away, wanting to burry myself into a hole now. He would be the least person I wanted to see me like this.
"Hey, you're free right?"
"Can I have a dance with you?"
"W---"
"It's Tom!" the girls squealed and immediately flocked over him, swooning as they probably wanted to ask him out of a dance.
Stupid people. Who believes in that legend anyway? But people will want to believe what they want to. Not to mention, in little hopes they can be with him.
"Sorry, but I---"
I get cut off when a hand tugged me, I turn to gaze at Tom clutching on my arm and before I could even process what was happening, we started running.
"Hey man! We asked her first!" some guys screeched and while some girls fussed, he didn't stop.
His hold on my arm tightened until he slipped it to meet my hand.
"Where are you taking me!?" I huffed, my breath ragged, not to mention the effort Rhea, Leila and May have done would be ruined.
He doesn't reply and instead we take a turn to the left, as he lunged forward to a dark, empty room and twisted its knob open, pushing me and him inside.
Our breaths were ragged and all caught up from the marathon-like just now. I rested my hands on my knees as I tried to catch up my breath while he locked the door in front of us.
"W-what the hell is wrong with you?!" I squeezed out in a huff, my breathing ragged and a sweat trickled down my forehead.
He doesn't reply and instead took a step near the wall and pressed his back on it. Not a mere second later, he sits on the cold tile with his head leaning against the wall.
I stared at him, then to the locked door and the dark, empty room. This seems to be an inhabited room. The windows were open so it wasn't hot but it was pitch dark.
It was probably six thirty if I try to guess the time.
"I didn't want those guys to dance with you," he pursed his lips and placed his forearm on his nose. I could somewhat make out a blush from his face and ears. "---because you're really pretty right now".
My cheeks flushed red because he took me by surprise. I scowled. "Shut up!"
"But it's true anyway."
I stared at the dress, then played with its lace just because I didn't know what to say. We're all alone. And I'm still upset at him.
"Avery."
My ears perked up, but I stared at my shoes and to my dress back and forth, avoiding his piercing gaze. My heart is racing fast right now. Maybe it was because we were running.
"I didn't want her to kiss me, okay?" he murmured. "---I was just as surprised as you."
"I.." I blinked, then grumbled, curling up my fists. "---I don't care. Do whatever you want."
"Then why are you avoiding me?"
I paused.
"I'm not avoiding you!" my voice wavered as I stood there, shoulders hunched and my make up probably ruined by now. "---I—I just don't know what to say, okay?"
"Can you sit beside me?" he changes the topic. I, in turn, peered to see him motioning to sit beside him, patting the empty space on the floor.
I raised a brow. "Why?"
"Just," he trailed off, looking at me sincerely. "—sit."
I eyed him wearily before slowly making my way close to him, feeling all tensed up with how his eyes are on me or how I feel so bare right now.
I sat beside him, pulling my knees up to my chest as my heart was pounding so fast he could probably hear it. My stomach churned and it feels weird yet warm
I gazed at my shoes, a sandal which felt comfortable instead of some heels. I would probably have had blisters by now if I wore one.
"I used to be scared of the dark when I was young," he suddenly blurts out in the middle of silence. I looked at him, eyes squinted in confusion.
"Why...are you telling me this?" I mumbled, watching him stare ahead with eyes focused and a small smile on his lips.
"Just because."
"You're crazy," I shook my head in disapproval.
"One time, some girl lied to her boyfriend that I was seeing her and I almost gotten beaten up," he chuckled and I scrunched my nose. He's crazy right now. Why would he laugh to something like that?
"How about you, Avery?" he finally peered at me, a brow raised.
"Why should I tell you?" I scoffed.
"Just because."
Why do I keep sighing today? I grimaced, after debating what to do. "There's this guy in middle school. He sent me a love letter."
He looked too focus it's scaring me. It's like he wants to meet this guy and have a few exchanges of words with him. "---I went there and found out it was just to make fun of me."
"As you can see, no one likes me," I sourly smiled, tucking a strand of hair behind me. I remember that time all too well. The laughter that ringed on my ears; how they pointed that I was a fool to be tricked.
How I made a fool of myself that day. How I cried silently on my pillow because I was so humiliated. It was all too clear to me.
"But I'm here, aren't I?" he responded, not hesitating. "—I like you. Even more than that."
I stared at him, feeling my cheeks start to turn red. I lifted my hand and pushed his face, covering him from seeing me like this. For being so affected when he says things like this. "I know that dimwit."
He chuckled, grabbing my hand and then took it off his face, looking at me intently. I couldn't seem to look away.
It's like when a moth gets attracted to a flame. It's too much.
"The campfire dance will begin now! Get your partners and enjoy the last day of the school festival!"
I blinked, then yanked my hand off his hold, looking away as I took a deep breath. Being with him is too much for me.
After that announcement, the music started to blast and it sounded jaded based from our location, but we could still hear it. I already imagined so many people lined up for the campfire dance.
Tom groaned and then stood up from his stance on the floor. He wiped his pants and then extended his hand to me. I eyed him. He smiled. "Let's dance?"
Without missing a beat, I took his hand and he hoisted me up from my sprawled state on the floor. I patted down my dress and made sure to wipe out some dust that might be on the dress. This is not even mine.
"You're really going to dance with me?" his eyes looked surprised with his lips slightly parted open.
I scoffed. "You don't want to? Then I change my mi---"
"No! No!" he immediately cut me off, spouting words in a haste like a mumble rapper.
He reluctantly placed his hands on my waist and I rested my hands on his shoulders. At first it was awkward, our sense of rhythm was wrong and we weren't moving at the same pace.
But as the minute passed by, we finally got the hang of it. I leaned my head on his chest and I could feel him tense up. I scoffed, but nevertheless didn't say anything as we swayed like two trees with the wind, not even bothering to take large heaps of steps.
I chuckled. "Tom, you do realize that the music isn't a slow one, rather it's quite fast paced."
"I know," he whispered, hugging my waist tighter. "---but I'm not interested for some hardcore dancing or something flashy right now."
"Taking it slow is the best," he mused.
Maybe he's right. Maybe not. I could hear the fast pace of his heart or how his breathing is deep and shallow. How his shoulders tense up or how I could feel warmth through him.
I closed my eyes, getting lost with everything else. With his scent, warmth and probably everything.
I thought that if it wouldn't cross my mind, it would never happen. Like how if I pretend I didn't notice the pain on my injury, then I wouldn't feel it stinging me.
In this case, it's getting worse. The more I try to cross it off, the more it feels painful and excruciating. It makes my chest knot and my stomach churn. It feels too much for me.
The only way to relieve this pain is to admit it. All this time, I wasn't stupid. I was pretending to be one. If I acted more, I could've succeeded but...I didn't.
Because I'm starting to...maybe.. love him too.
I knew it all this time, but I was afraid. That if I admit and say it out loud, I'd lose myself. That it was going to painful.
That he was just going to toy with my heart and I'm going to be that stupid girl from back then.
But I can't hide it anymore. When just being with him makes my heart race or makes me feel jumbled up inside.
When I don't want to see him with other girls.
When I want him to actually...only look at me.
How could I not, when he's always there? When he knows just the words to say; when he led me to the life I have now. There's so many things I'm thankful because of him.
For opening my heart to other people, for being patient with a person like me.
How could I not possibly love him when he's this lovable?
Damn it, Tom.
Why do you always win?
-End of Book 1-
Thank you for reading, "A Dummy's Guide to Love."
The second book might be entitled, "The Witch and the Prince." I hope you'll continue to support Avery and Tom's journey.
Thank you!